Categories
Travel

March Break in Canmore, AB: Relaxation & Re-connection

-We took advantage of a booking offer that the Malcolm Hotel offered in February. We had to book between  set time on Thursday to qualify for HALF off our room. Restrictions applied in terms of it being non-refundable or transferable and we had to stay within a certain window of dates. The hotel was lovely; we had two queen beds, a balcony and an incredible view. It is walking distance to downtown. Which was perfect for lazy days of strolling down mainstream and doing a little shopping! 

-Quick brunch at Beamer’s Coffee Bar to refuel after traveling

-Dinner at The Sensory; I had the salmon and the vegan, gluten free chocolate cake!

-Cruffin from The Uprising Bakery + Espresso Bar; we wanted a sweet treat while we (finally) watched The Eras Tour. I gotta say the Cruffin (croissant & muffin hybrid) was the bomb; stuffed with an incredible lemon curd —it is a MUST try! Way better mash up than the cronut.

-Coffee and snacks from The Pulse (the general store at the hotel) while we watched Top Chef.

-Shops open around 10; we were early for so we headed back to relax and watch Irish Wish until they opened. Also, several businesses are closed Monday-Tuesday. 

-After walking around the area surrounding the hotel we hit up Rocky Mountain Bagel Company; I had the Bagel Garden: plain bagel with cream cheese and stuffed to the hit with fresh veggies. 

-Happy Hour at Brigette Bar; they have a really great selection of cocktails (Next Exit) and half off pizzas (Chicken Sausage) 

-To wrap up the night we watched The Little Mermaid and tried a couple different confections from The Uprising again (Honey cake, carrot cake and apple streudel).

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

March Journal #4

Have you ever snooped in a friend’s or partner’s house?

I have never snooped in their house but  I have snooped in their phone and I’m ashamed to say it. I was just coming out of a long-term relationship and I was very blindsided by the breakup so I was just being over cautious and suspicious. Ultimately it was wrong and I really shouldn’t try and justify it. I’ve also been cheated on in the past and sadly I found out that I was the other person in another relationship. Anyways, I looked at the text between one of my boyfriends and his ex-girlfriend. I was shocked to see that they had had recent communication but nothing concerning at least from what was indicated by the messages that were present or hadn’t been deleted. I don’t like when people touch my stuff, my mom was a big snoop so that really bugs me so I don’t know why I would do it to somebody else.

What about you?

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Categories
Entertainment

Book Club: March

My work-life balance tipped hard core to the work side, so I only managed to read ONE book this month; it was a book I was waiting for FOREVER…

  1. A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn
    Veronica and Stoker go on THE wildest adventure so far in the series to discover what happened to a young women; whose body was thought to be a mannequin. Riffing on Frankenstein it was a thrilling read.
Categories
Fashion

OOTD: Stepping into Spring

Dress: Strappy Dress with Front Slit in Tropical Print (Ricki’s)
Shoes: Hannah Vachetta Leather Slides in Havana Tan (Talbots)
Purse: Metallic Boucle Double Gusset Wristlet in Cafe Multi (Talbots)
Jewellery: Short Chain-Link Charm Necklace in Gold (Ricki’s)

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

March Journal #3

What is your favorite physical aspect of your partner? If you are single, describe something you like about a crush or your fantasy celebrity date.

Forearms or arms in general! To me they signify protection and strength. They are what can hold me tight and shield me from danger. They are muscular from his physically demanding job. The definition of tissue and veins reminds me of a sculpture by the great Renaissance artists. Also, in the summer he tans really dark and ends up with a farmer’s tan on his upper arms. He has a tattoo on his upper arm and when we’re laying in bed and I can’t sleep I stare at it and trace it lightly with my finger.

What about you?

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Categories
Food & Drink

OOTD: Don’t Pinch Me, I Wore Green

A St. Patrick’s Day outfit recap!

Top: Cashmere Blend Crew Neck Sweater (Ricki’s)
Bottoms: Trinny Trouser Jean (Ricki’s)
Shoe: Birdies Starling Flat in Evergreen (Nordstrom)
Jewellery: 8mm Birthstone Sparkle Ball in Emerald (Hillberg & Burk)

Categories
Gifts

Easter Baskets for Kids

I love putting together Easter baskets for my young nieces and nephews; this is what I filled the baskets with this year!

Socks
The Good Egg Presents: The Great Eggscape
Sidewalk Chalk
Lindt Milk Chocolate Crispy Eggs Bag
Kids Root Beer Bubble Bath
Lifesavers Bunnies & Eggs Gummies
Snuggle Buddy

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

March Journal #2

Describe the day you met your best friend, from your friend’s point of view.

It was a busy day in the dorm; everyone was moving in. I didn’t expect to be a floor coordinator but here I am. Everyone is excited and so far the “meeting of the roommates” is going well. It should be a really good year. There’s a girl who lives a few doors down and she seems weird but in a good way; fun and loves food especially Kraft Dinner. She wants to be a teacher. You can tell she’s a bit nervous but that should subside. We like a lot of the same TV shows and love to travel… little did she know almost 20 years later we’re still best friends.

What about you?

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Categories
Food & Drink

Irish Recipe: Colcannon

My all time favourite way to serve mashed potatoes is in the form of Colcannon and considering that St. Patrick’s Day is coming up it is a perfect time to share it with you all.

potatoes beside stainless steel cooking pot
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Ingredients

5 Potatoes (Yukon Gold is best)
4 Tbsp Margarine
4 Scallions (chopped)
2 Tbsp Minced garlic
1 Bunch of kale (chopped)
3/4 cup Milk
1/2 cup Heavy cream
Salt & Pepper

Directions

  1. In a large pot, cover chopped potatoes with water and season with salt. Boil and cook until totally soft (approximately 12 minutes). Drain and return potatoes to pot.
  2. Melt margarine in a large pot.
  3. Add scallions and garlic and cook until beginning to soften
  4. Add shredded kale, milk, and cream. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring often until milk comes to a simmer and kale wilts.
  5. Use a potato masher to mash kale mixture into potatoes until smooth.
  6. Season with salt and pepper and stir.
  7. Enjoy!
Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

Back to the Vault: An Ode to Strong Women

Normally, we head back to the vault later in the month, however, I couldn’t resist dipping back to 2021 in honour of International Women’s Day.

An Ode to Strong Women

How are you commemorating the day?
Who are some strong women in your life?