2019 Travel Wish List #travellinkup

I didn't get to travel much this year, so I'm glad I was able to get a trip to Texas in, early on in the year. After starting a new job, I promised myself I would definitely be booking a big trip for 2019. So Although I know I'll certainly be heading back to my favourite place and taking the number one spot on my 2019 travel wish list.

1. UK/Ireland

Summer 2019! Whooohooooo!

2. Iceland
Possible layover on my way to England? Yes, please.

3. Buffalo
A bit weird, I know, but someone told me that there is a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Buffalo and I've always wanted to see one in person!

4. Pennsylvania
I have a new interest in oil history and I'd love to check out the Drake Well Museum and Park in Titusville, PA

5. Portugal
Throwing a random one out there, because why the heck not. It seemed like everyone and literally their mother, went here in 2018, so call it a bit of fomo.

What are your travel plans for 2019? 

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Binny. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until January 7th.

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2018 Travel Wish List

Travel. It's my favourite thing. Big or small, I want to do it all. But if I had to limit myself to just a few (hopefully attainable in 2018) these are top of my list.

1. San Antonio, Texas

When I was very young, my parents took me to Texas to visit their friends. All I remember from that trip was that the grass was very prickly and that a dog ate my Barbie (talk about traumatic). A dear friend of mine has moved back States side and now I have an excuse to travel down (the best reason to travel if you ask me) and see if everything really is bigger in the longhorn state. UPDATE!! Flight booked for Texas!

2. Halifax, Nova Scotia

After spending a brief time in St. John's, Newfoundland this past summer (posts to come) I realized I wanted to see more of the east coast of Canada. I also realized that I need to make 2018 the year I do some solo travel, what better place than in your own backyard.

3. Charlottetown, P.E.I.

To go along with the above reasoning. 2018; It's happening!

4. United Kingdom and Ireland

I did this trip last year and it was a blast. And since last year, I've had some friends move to new towns and I must go check it out. (Visiting friends is seriously the best excuse to travel).

5. Netherlands

I have a dream of doing another Provence girls trip but this time to the Netherlands.

These are just a few of my dream destinations for 2018. I mean they aren't completely out of reach, but really I'll take what ever kind of travel I can get my hands on.

What are your wishlist travel destinations for 2018?

What are your travel plans for 2018? Do you like to have it all mapped out before January 1st or do you prefer to wing it?

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until January 7th.

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

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If Travel was on a Menu...

...I'd have a hard time selecting what I wanted. Which isn't that unusual. I always have a hard time picking what I want to eat when given a huge list of items to choose from. Some call it indecisive, others may say picky, I like to think of myself as a thorough decision maker.

I'd start my travel meal off with a nice little shared starter. A short jaunt from Toronto perhaps over a long weekend for just a taste. Maybe a girls weekend where we can share the experience. And true to form I just can't decide between the seafood filled Maritimes of Canada or the pizza bites of New York City. Hmmm...

For my entree, when at a favourite restaurant I tend to go for my classics over and over again. No need for adventure when I know what I like and it's good. It's comfort food. My go to main course is London. I love it and know I will love it each and every time. I can easily be talked into visiting new places and trying new things, but I will forever return to my fair London.

I hardly ever get dessert when I'm out. It's an indulgence that I usually deny my already full belly. As such, my travel dessert would have to be just as salubrious and for me that would be a beach holiday where nothing is done but lounging by a pool and visiting a swim up bar. Any all-inclusive would fit this bill, but with the waiter standing over my shoulder, pen poised in anticipation, my pick would be Aruba. NO! Antigua! ooooooooo

Photo from my trip to Jamaica ca. 2009 and my last beach holiday

Great. Now I'm hungry and itching to book another trip! What would you order off a travel menu?

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma, Polly and this month's special co-host, Binny's Kitchen and Travel Diaries. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until May 7th.

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

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Winter Wishes

Now that the sparkly, shiny days of Christmas are a distant memory, all we have stretched out in front of us is the bleakness and dreary weeks ahead. So in order to cope with the seemingly never ending shortened days I've created a winter wishes list. Just like my autumn wishes and summer wishes, this list is an aide-memoire of the little joys that exist in these cold months.

Grab a hot mug of something, cozy up by the fireside and think warm thoughts as we go through my list of things I'm looking forward to enjoying this winter.

one//listening to snow fall

Do you know what I'm talking about? Next time it's snowing go outside and have a listen. It is the most peaceful moment ever. It never seems as quiet or as still as when it's snowing great, big, fluffy snowflakes that float down to the snow covered ground.

two// walks in snowy scenes

On sunny days it's guaranteed to be bitter cold brisk. But getting out there and getting some of that vitamin D it's life saving and a little exercise keeps away cabin fever. #Bettydog helps with this one the most since dogs don't care about the temperature; if they need to go for a walk, you must take them.

three// scarf love

I

LOVE

SCARVES!

A fashion blogger, I am not. As they bemoan the loss of cute sun dresses and not messing hair under winter caps, I luxuriate in a blanket scarf. Wrap me head to toe in a comfy cozy blanket scarf and I will conquer the world.

four// cozy reading

Moving back indoors, I like to be just as warm wrapped up in a blanket, thick sock, hot tea and a book I can fall into and I'm a happy girl. Make it a snow day and I can read guilt free in my blanket fort.

five// all the winter soups

As soon as a chill hits the air my mum boldly announces ''It's soup season!'' and really can't disagree. Pictured above homemade lentil soup and fish stew--and clearly soup becomes a proper meal when served with carbs.

six// outdoor winter activities 

Hibernating, as much as I wish it to be true, is not a winter activity. At least not a productive one. I must remember that going outside and doing things in the cold is still enjoyable. I used to love skiing, tobogganing, building snow forts, and making snowmen in the winter.

*side note* I came across this last photo of my Nan and Grandpa out enjoying winter with 3 of their 8 children. Isn't it just lovely?

What are your winter wishes?

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2017 Travel Wishlist and Link Up

I'm going to limit myself to five because really this list could go on forever. But if someone was paying me to travel here's my list of top dream destinations.

1. Iceland
This has been on the top of my list for a very long time. One of these days I will be able to cross it off.

2. Scottish Islands
I once did a bus tour of the Scottish Highlands and it really was just a teaser of the wilderness that was up there. I need to explore it!

3. Turks and Caicos
Must have a warm destination on a list like this and a place that is super into Canadians? Even better.

4. St. Pierre and Miquelon
You mean I can visit 'France' and just be 25km off the coast of Newfoundland? Buy me a ticket!

5. Japan
Just cause. Who wouldn't want to see Japan? A friend of mine recently went and her pics made me super jelly!

At the beginning of each month, I like to take part in the monthly travel link up hosted on the incredible blogs by Angie, Emma,  and this month's special co-host Polly. You can join in too by leaving a comment below, checking out other posts on the link up, or adding your own post to the widget now until January 7th.

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

Let's get social

2016 Travel Wishlist and Link Up

This month's travel link up with Emma, and new hosts, Jessi and Angie, is the traditional travel wishlist for the year ahead. On my 2015 wishlist  I did actually make it to Quebec City; 1 down, 4 to go.

This year, I've already booked my holiday to England. I will probably return empty pocketed so this will more than likely be my only trip for the year. I'm okay with this. So my wishlist this year is more of an actual list of where I will be for my upcoming trip.

London

Landing in London. It will be my very first time landing in the city and not be moving in. Weird.

Paris

24 hours in gay paree. Meeting up with friends for one night and day of frolicking and shenanigans.  

Cambridge

Love this city and love this girl. Soul sister. Already want to cry thinking of the cuddles. 

Edinburgh

I've made a few day trips here before, but now I have a friend who calls the city home and I will get to test out the night life. So excite!

Glasgow

House sitting for friends in this city had me exploring the place solo the last time around.  I visited almost all the museums on offer. 

I'm very much looking forward to my little visit. I'm preparing to feel all the feels, spend lots of money, over-pack my luggage, and have a pint or two...probably more. Definitely more (Hi parents!).

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2015 Travel Wishlist and Linkup

I made a decision back when I was jet setting around Europe *loud whisper spoken from the side of my mouth behind the back of my hand* aka living my dream in London, that decision was a promise to travel North America more when I returned to Canada. 

A friend of mine and I have already been discussing potential destinations for this year, whether these actually happen or not only time will tell, but a girl can travel dream. Which is my favourite kind of dream.

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1. Quebec City

Reason: It's Canada's most European city, it's historic district is decorated with narrow cobbled streets, they hold a winter festival in February, because February and Canada, and they got history oozing out the wazoo. 

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2. Vancouver, BC

Reason: I hear the weather is similar to London's. I hear it's a very expensive place, just like London. I hear once I visit I'll never want to leave, just like London. This just might be my home away from London.

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3. Boston

Reason: My father is from Vermont, which is part of New England, but it's never really felt part of the stereotypical New England where people say and eat chowdah. I'm wicked excited to see this place for myself.

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4. San Fran

Reason: Golden Gate Bridge, Full House, Alcatraz, Sea lions and trams. Yes please!

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5. New York

Reason: At least twice a year my family and I make the 8 hour drive to Vermont to visit family and rent a cottage. I think it's high time we take a left out of Montreal and stop in the Big Apple.  I have a feeling the city would be overwhelming on a first visit, so I'm willing to make repeat trips.

This post is part of the monthly Travel Link up hosted by the lovelies; Rebecca, Kelly and Emma. Check them out and others on the link up.

Christmas Wish List

Christmas Wish List

Occasionally I like to pretend I have a generous manfriend who likes to shower me with expensive gifts, or that I have a Daddy Warbucks who will buy me everything my little materialistic heart desires, or that I have my very own deep pockets in which I can buy all the things (ALL THE THINGS) for myself like the truly independent lady I pretend to be am, and make a Christmas gift wish list with all the truly lovely items I've been admiring and lusting for the whole year through. It's fun to dream...

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Office £46.99

2. Fossil £135

3. Aldo £100

4. etsy $46

5. Joy £8.50

6. iPhone  £549

7. Lumix camera and lens £268 and £144

Twenty-five days, people. Look alive!

Fun travels!

Autumn Wishes

I enjoyed making my summer wish list which helped me remember to enjoy the little things that make me happy in summer, so I thought what a better thing to do than have a fall wish list to help get me through some of the cool and damp days ahead.
Here is what I hope will make my fall amazeballs.

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Changing leaves. Last fall I was in Cambridge and people kept mentioning the changing leaves, but I just didn't see it. This year I will pay close attention to the colours, but I know they just won't compare to Ontario. And if you ask my mum, Ontario just doesn't compare to Quebec. And if you ask my dad, they both just don't compare to New England. And we are right back where we started. Well, sort of.

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Hot chocolate aka Starbucks holiday drinks. Full stop. I love Starbucks holiday drinks and I squee with excitement (is there any other kind of squee?) when I see it's that time of year. MMM eggnog latte. 

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Orphans Thanksgivings.  Although I won't be able to make in home this year for thanksgiving, I do have a great group of Canadian friends here who truly understand the importance of gorging yourself on turkey, pumpkin pie and stuffing (dressing, for you American folk), while surrounded by good company and a Charlie Brown special on the first Monday of October.

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Seasonal veg. I do love me a good gourd. This is the time of year when summer salads and light dishes are pushed aside and crock pots and roasting pans are dusted off and used each night to produce foods for sticking to your bones and insulating your soul!

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Sunshine on crisp days, when you can see your breath but the sun in like a warm hug wrapped around you as you stroll through a park on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

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Scarves and comfy, cozy sweaters! I just can't get enough of feeling cozy and a great big, beautiful scarf (I'm talking real scarf, not a fashion scarf) does that for me. And this is the best time of year to enjoy them sans coat,  it's just you and the scarf.

What is on your autumn wishes list? What are you most looking forward to this fall?

Fun travels!

Summer Wishes

Inspired by Diana's Summer Wishes I wanted to mentally create my own wish list in an attempt to not let my summer of fun in London pass me by. Every year I most look forward to the family vacation where we rent the same cottage by the bay and all get together for the week; sharing summer meals, playing lots of scrabble, and plenty of bike rides, not to mention countless hours on the beach. I'm going to miss out on this, this year, but I don't want to start a pity party for one, because I'm living in London. London is at it's best when soaked in summer sunshine. 
My list focuses on the small things that make the summer months great for me, leaving me feeling satisfied with life. As Diana puts it, here are a few things "I hope will rock my summer".

Watermelon and summer foods. I love the freshness of these kinds of seasonal items that just make a meal so much the better.

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That tiredness you get from playing all day, preferably accompanied by pruney fingers from spending most of that play in a body of water. Where nothing is accomplished all day, but fun.

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Summer nights. Staying out to the very last bit of sunlight has disappeared beyond the horizon and the air begins go feel cool and refreshing against bare skin.

Tea on a balcony. There's just nothing better than a morning cuppa enjoyed outside in the first morning sun.

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Ice cream. Always and forever, ice cream. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. I can't get enough of this stuff, but last summer I discovered a way to make my own dairy free and somewhat healthy version of it.

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Nature! While living in the Big Smoke, you can forget there is more to the world then concrete and car fumes. You therefore have to seize opportunities to connect with nature whenever they present themselves. (Just look at that wild hair, I do belong in the wild)

What are some of your summer wishes?

Fun travels!