sips and nibbles

Tea time with girlfriends is the best way to spend an afternoon. It is especially delightful when tea is served in the prettiest tea set I've ever seen and accompanied by macarons, scones, and all sorts of little nibbles. We must've spent a good 5 hours just sitting around the table talking about anything that came to mind. Having grown up with these girls made me realize how much we've changed over the years and at the same time, how many of our little quirks remained the same. Although I embrace change (albeit a bit hesitantly at first), it's nice to have some constants in my life. Especially when these constants are always equipped and ready to deal with the 5 year old in me.

ice skates and champagne

 I started off the new year with a few of my closest girlfriends skating and sipping on champagne. Looking back on past new year's eves, I noticed that I have never felt the need to go to big parties in crowded places to celebrate. There's nothing I like more than a quiet and cozy night with a few good friends - must be the old soul in me!

 skating at the jellybean rink

meet Mr. Jefferson - Nathan's substitute for the evening

merci merci merci

 photo credit goes to my talented friend Jamie

This past weekend was Thanksgiving and like all holidays, everything that I did and everywhere that I went, revolved around food. The festivities started off with a good dose of food poisoning that I mentioned in this post. I suppose it was a blessing in disguise because it cleared the way for much overindulging the entire weekend. By entire weekend I mean 12pm Saturday straight through to Monday 6pm.

 taken at the lobby of the Royal York Hotel

Saturday was spent high tea-ing with two of my lovely ladies at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. We stuffed ourselves on crumpets and sandwiches (couldn't quite fit the scones in near the end) and washed it all down with a nice big pot of tea. I chose my absolute favourite tea at the moment: Cherry Blossom Sencha tea. It's a very mild green tea with a hint of sweetness to it; perfect for a sunny afternoon. After tea, I was off to Nathan's family Thanksgiving dinner at his cousin's place. The next evening was Thanksgiving dinner with my family, and since no one in my family wanted to cook this year, we decided to go shopping and eat out instead. We had our family's favourite sticky rice stuffed chicken at Maple Yip's and by the end of the night, I didn't think I could ever eat again...

best stuffing in the world (recipe from Giada)

...somehow, I found myself eating more turkey the next day at a friend's place in Oakville.

I've only felt physically ill from eating one other time in my life and that was after an a.y.c.e sushi date with Nathan when he was still working in Calgary. This weekend, I revisited that awful feeling but if I had to do it again, I probably would have ended up in the same state.

I asked Nathan to take a picture of me for my blog and this was the result...

a week that felt like months

I haven't had a break since my last exam on August 19th, so you can imagine how happy I was  today to be able to just sit at a Starbucks with a venti green tea lemonade reading one of my guilty pleasure novels (Mini Shopaholic). Why has life been so busy? It was mostly due to bridal shower planning for a friend of mine who's getting married this October. The biggest challenge was making the scones for the high tea event. The first batch we made tasted good but were as dry my skin during the winter months. The second batch were the perfect texture, but tasted like cardboard. Luckily, our final batch (that we made the night before the shower), were the perfect blend of the first 2 trials. The shower was a hit! I was afraid that people will be reluctant to play some of the games that we had planned, but everyone seemed to have enjoyed them! I didn't get a chance to take too many photos for the shower, because I was helping the bride take pictures with her camera. I did, however, sneak a few photos with my point & shoot when I had the chance.

some veggies to cancel out the sweets

of course I had to sneak a self shot with my bff of 19 years :)

picnic under yellow umbrellas

 

Celebrating Michele's birthday by the water with all the ladies. Although times like these are far and few between, we always manage to pick up where we left off seamlessly. If all evenings could be this relaxing I would never grow another wrinkle again...

...are wrinkles even grown?

car exhaust and sangria

The ladies and I recently went on a spur of the moment road trip to Buffalo. I really miss the days when we were able to cross the border using just our driver's license. Let me explain...

/start side story

I had found out about the trip one week prior to leaving (it was a Saturday) and didn't remember that my passport was expired until Monday morning. So you can imagine the panic I was in when the reality of me possibly not being able to go settled in. Luckily, I didn't have classes that day so I was able to spend my entire morning frantically running about, printing my passport application, figuring out where I should hand it in, calculating whether or not I need to express mail my passport (which would be an extra $30), and. taking. my. photo.

 
Panic attack Nº 1: What do you mean I can't wear white?

White tops are a staple in my closet so, in my state of panic, it was only natural for me to automatically grab a white cotton shirt before heading out the door. You can imagine my surprise and distress when the photographer told me that I can't wear white in the photo. Thankfully, I was wearing a V-neck tank top underneath with a lace trim around the neckline (this is important to know). I readjust myself and then...

 
Panic attack Nº 2: No headbands either?

For those of you out there who have worn a headband for a prolonged period of time, you would know that it leaves a bit of a dent in your hair which makes it very difficult to go back to your usual hair parting because you end up with a funny looking wave in your bangs. I had no choice but to take my hairband off and try to smooth it out as much as I can. It was hopeless.

I ended up with the funniest looking picture I've ever taken where I look like I'm wearing just a bra (thanks to my V-neck lacey tank top), with crazy hair and looking as miserable as a bull dog. This is definitely a picture I hope to pass on to my children and grandchildren one day.

/end really long side story

Although Buffalo is only 2 hours away from Toronto, it was a great weekend getaway. There's something about driving on a long stretch of road with people you love munching on snacks and talking about anything that comes to mind. We left all our work and school worries at home, ate melted trail mix, shopped until the outlets and malls closed, dined at the Olive Garden, drank some tasty sangria and went grocery shopping. Other than the grocery shopping and sangria drinking, I felt like I was in high school all over again. I think we all need more weekends like these. Simple. Therapeutic. And so good for the soul.

Now, if only I didn't have to come home to a pile of unfinished assignments, I would be an even happier girl.

a lazy sunday with the ladies

Hickory Sticks remind me of recess

Last Sunday Shannon, Karen and I ventured off to the land of Mississauga to visit Michele for some much needed girl time. Michele had just come home from her two week work trip to Moncton, NB and for two weeks I had to read about her yummy seafood meals via facebook. She must've heard my stomach grumbling from Toronto cause she brought home 5 lobsters for us the devour! She had purchased the lobsters there and had the lady at the store clean and cook them for her to bring back. This was the most delicious (and shortest lasting) souvenir I have ever received. So our afternoon was spent munching on hickory sticks and just catching up. You know you're in good company when you have nothing planned, but are still able to spend a whole day with each other without getting bored (Warning: I went a little picture happy).

playing tetris with Shannon's condo floor plan

I wanted to try Michele's bright red shoes on. The girls wanted me to pull up my socks.

I ♥ starch

before

 after

 Michele lives in a beautiful neighbourhood - the type with giant trees and quiet neighbours sitting on their porches

never too old to play

parks bring out the 5 year olds in us

sunny days are meant for iced coffees and a bike mission

can't resist $1 drinks from McDonald's

note to self: next time ask for half the cream and half the sugar

The Victoria Day long weekend started off with bike shopping downtown with Shannon. We were hunting for a decent priced hybrid bike that is versatile enough for doing 50-80km bike-a-thons but also practical enough to use as a commuter bike. Shannon left the store with a dark silver Trek fx 7.2. I don't know too much about bikes, but it was a beauty! We spent a good part of our afternoon debating whether or not to buy this bike (there was only one left in her size) but finally decided that she loved the bike and most importantly, it didn't break the bank. It also didn't hurt that the man selling us the bike was a charmer ;)

rolling her new bike to the subway

we came across the most talented kids performing at the corner of Queen Street West and Soho Street 

I hope everyone had a firework-filled Victoria's Day (and maybe a pint of beer to go with the view)! Yoshi, however, is trying to hide from all the pops and rumbles from outside. Poor old puppy...