Thai Food

YUM.

The best Thai food in Ottawa is at a spot called Siam Bistro. It's a small, discreet store front that wouldn't attract you unless you know how amazing the food is. And, lucky me, I do.

A few of us went here one night and one couple had actually lived in Thailand. They couldn't believe how authentic the food tasted. I already knew I loved it, but now it just confirms how incredible this place it.

I especially love their number 38. Just saying.

www.siambistro.com

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Lykke Li

New love on the scene. Lykke Li. I just downloaded two of her albums and they are kickass - Youth Novels and Wounded Rhymes.

Seriously, check her out.

The song 'Tonight' from Youth Novels is especially incredible. Take a listen and just try and not fall head over heels in love with it, and her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvIj3sI_WPM

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karaoke!

I cannot help but have a very big crush on every karaoke bar that I can find. Love them all. And they are usually dives.

I have been known to suggest karaoke on a night out - and may even try to convince you to purchase a karaoke machine so that I can come over and sing my little heart out. I should probably just buy my own, but it may kill the excitement - solo gigs wouldn't feel half as cool.

Have you gone out with a group of free-spirited people lately, googled the nearest karaoke bar, searched through the plastic covered (sticky) pages for that song that you secretly think you can really sing and then just given it your all? No? I strongly suggest you do just that.

(I myself do a great Dolly if anyone was wondering).

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Covers.

I love a good song cover. An old song brought back to life.

I love this:

http://www.heavyweather.ca/video-29833704.html

And, just as the song suggests, I love my best friends...

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Truffle Oil...

I'm not going to post about any one oil in particular, I'm just going to say go buy some. White truffle oil, black truffle oil, whatever. Just go get some. Look up a recipe. Something with pasta and wild mushroom to be exact. Or just drizzle over shoe string French fries.

Sit back, smell that amazing smell, and dig in.

Truffle oil makes everything better.

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Canoe

Mmmmmmm. I just had a lovely meal at Canoe in Toronto and if you can't already tell by the m's, it was DELICIOUS. Probably one of my favorite meals. I had the venison and it was perfect (venison is a vegetable venison is a vegetable...haha). This restaurant uses local products and focuses on Canadian cuisine. A lot of very different pairings, like roasted corn on top of chocolate cake - it works! Oh, and the service was impeccable.

Treat yourself and try this place.

I loved it.

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Family...

At the risk of sounding like a total baby, I wanted to put a little post out there about family. Why? Well, because these are the people we can take for granted, though they are also our biggest supporters and the ones that love us even when we are not so lovable...

So, as a reminder to myself, and perhaps to you, I'm sending out massive doses of appreciation for my family. Go hug a family member today if you are so lucky to have them close-by.

Today, and everyday, I'm loving my family. I hope you're blessed with one like mine.

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Avion

It seems weird to post about loving a visa card, but I love my RBC Avion points visa card so much that I need to spread the word. Every dollar spent is a point, and I can not tell you how many flights I've gotten through this card at this point. A lot. You can book up to two weeks out, pick any airline, route, seat, whatever. You literally call, tell them exactly what you want, they book it, take the points, and you're off. Then it starts building again. Love it!

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J Crew

I am blogging about J Crew because it's one of those stores that I can never pass by without going in. And, once inside, I can never leave without trying on a bunch of stuff. Then, once I get to the cash, I can never decide on which items to buy, which usually leaves me buying too much.

I love the simple styles in this store, and I really wish it was in Canada (though on my last venture here while in Rhode Island I was told that one was opening soon!). On another note, I kind of like that it isn't here because I just get that much more excited when I find a store. You always want what you can't have...

This place is the BEST for work clothes. The pants and man-shirts (really, does anyone call those blouses? I hate that word) fit incredibly well. Love it.

www.jcrew.com

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Snowboarding...

I picked up my new snowboard today. My very first snowboard purchase and I am beyond excited for the snow to come.

I haven't snowboarded a lot. But when I do I ask myself why I don't get out there more often. There is something so perfect and serene about being on a chilly, snow covered mountain, looking out over the clouds and knowing the only thing you have to do is get down that hill. It's just peaceful. And painful. But a perfect way to spend the Canadian winters.

If you can't escape the winter you might as well figure out how to enjoy it!

Try snowboarding - but bring a huge bag of patience.

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Dojo Workhorse

This band is INCREDIBLE.

One of my dearest friends gave me their album for my birthday last February and it quickly became one of my all time favourites. Still is, in fact.

They are not well known, but deserve to be. Go youtube or find them on myspace if anyone still uses myspace. They are worth the search.

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Dead Man's Bones Part Two

I'm still loving the song 'My Body's a Zombie for You' but I've moved from listening to that on repeat to listening to 'Lose Your Soul' on repeat. So much so that even I'm surprised I'm not sick of it yet. But I'm not. It would be impossible. I simply cannot get enough of this song.

Download.

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Inspiration

Today, I love this man...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H0HkuOLp9s

Enough said.

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Ice-cream Sammies

Go to Toronto. Visit White Squirrel Coffee. Order an ice-cream sammie with burnt marshmallow flavor.

Quite the find, I promise you.

www.whitesquirrelcoffee.com

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Cupcakes...BEST EVER.

Unfortunately, or fortunately for my clothes, the absolute best ever cupcakes are found in Calgary at Crave.            

If you are ever...EVER...in this city, or near it, please go immediately to this place (I think there are three or more stores now) and get a cupcake. Or 10.

I've tried many a'cupcake all over, and nothing has ever even come close to comparing to these delicious bits of heavenly goodness.

www.cravecupcakes.ca

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Home

If this song doesn't make you happy then you're dead inside...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcjgJV91WHg

LOVE THIS SONG.

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Sushi

I love sushi, but I've had a hard time finding good sushi in Ottawa.

My favourite sushi spots in NL - Basho and Sun Sushi. Both delicious but entirely different experiences. Sun Sushi - jeans/teeshirt, they do the best basic spicy tuna. Basho - jeans/heels, order the tuna tartare and definitely order a lycee martini.

My favourite sushi spot in Vancouver - The Eatery. It's dark, the music is loud, but the list of rolls is so extensive and I want to go back just to try more and more. (OK, I've only been to Vancouver twice and there are no doubt better sushi places but for now, based on my little experience in this city, I am happy to recommend this place).

My favourite sushi spot in Ottawa - Gengi. I've tried many places here over the past (nearly) 4 years and I've had some OK sushi and some very bad sushi and some sushi that I literally spit back out (I wish I was joking). So far, Gengi wins hands down. Try the sweet potato roll, you will be pleasantly surprised. My new favourite though - the butterfish. Yum.

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Joyeux Noel

I may be obsessed with Christmas and all things related, but I promise I won't go there in October - at least not in public anyway.

Joyeux Noel is actually a movie that I saw a number of years ago but for some reason it came to my mind today and I thought I'd share because, even years later, it still moves me. This movie was so well done, and it was so touching and equally heart breaking.

It is based on true stories from WWI; it's Christmas Eve and the Germans, French and Scottish take a break from trying to kill each other and sing songs, exchange small treats, and actually end up in a game of football. There is clearly a story intertwined in all of this as well, but really what I remember to this day is the singing. One voice turned into voices from all sides and I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye in the theatre.

Rent it and count your blessings.

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Adele

I feel almost silly posting about Adele because really, is there a human that doesn't love her?

So, at the risk of telling you all something you so obviously know, I'll be brief.

Adele. Both her albums. Just beautiful. I love her music dearly.

Seriously go buy them both immediately.

www.adele.tv/home

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Friends

Can I just take a moment and be completely cheesy.

Friends.

Yes, I'm doing a post on 'things I'm loving' on my friends. Because sometimes we just need to remember how very blessed we are for those people in our lives that, without, life just wouldn't be liveable. You know?

I hope you have some of those - we all deserve a few.

Reach out, send an email, a text, give a phone call - hell, send a good old fashioned letter. So maybe that could be my 'things I'm loving', reaching out and letting those you love, know just how much you do.

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Hipstamatic.

I've already preached my love for my iPhone, but I did not get into any particular apps. Until now.

Hipstamatic is a great app and it only costs $1.99, so basically free!

This app is a camera that takes photos as if you were using an old plastic camera about 25 years ago. The effect is so cool, it would seriously be difficult to take a bad photo (even for my camera-challenged mother).

You can also add to this app for more effects at the cost of $.99/each.

Check out the picture of my baby, Parker, to see what I'm talking about...

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La Sauvagine

Cheese. A post dedicated to cheese. But not just any cheese; La Sauvagine.

If I were such a person I would say OMG, but I'm not the type of person to say OMG, so I'll just say DEAR GOD. This cheese is absolutely delicious. Mouth watering in fact.

It's so soft and creamy, with a salty, savoury, mushroomy taste that I just cannot get enough of. Great with wine and the previously mentioned nuts you can find at Jean Talon. Or, on its own - at the end of a knife. Just eat it.

This cheese comes from Quebec but I'm sure it gets shipped somewhere near where you live...happy searching!

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Simple Foods...

Like avocados.

I love them. I could live on them, and sometimes I do just that.

I feel a need to share my favourite way to enjoy avocados in hopes that you think it sounds delicious and will try it. Why? Well, just like in the rest of this blog, it makes me happy and I'm spreading the love!

Recipe for the most simple meal...or snack...ever:

1/2 avocado
fresh lime juice
dash fleur de sel
1 slice of very good bread - toasted
1 tsp mayo (real mayo)
1 tsp dijon mustard

Mash the avocado with fresh lime juice and a dash of fleur de sel. Then mix equal parts mayo and dijon mustard (1 tsp or however little or much you like) - spread this layer on the toasted bread, then top with the avocado mixture. Voila. Simple. Delicious.

Enjoy!

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food blogs...

I'll admit that I haven't been cooking as much recently as I used too, but I'm getting back there. Though, even those days that I really have zero energy to cook, I religiously check a few food blogs to see what others are cooking. 

I have some favourites that I check everyday, but last year my cousin (amazing baker that she is) put me on to a site call tastespotting, which basically previews a bunch of different meals/dishes/cakes/drinks/etc. from an abundance of food blogs all around the world. 

Every day this site uploads new images from different food blogs and you can click on whichever interests you, which takes you to someone's personal food blog. I love it. I discover new people all the time, and this is where my list of favourites has essentially come from. 

I love cookbooks, as I've already blogged about, but I find I'm searching these sites more often then I'm going to my books. 

www.tastespotting.com

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Le Nordik

I just booked an afternoon at the Nordic baths for myself and some good friends and it reminded me how much I love Le Nordik. Again, I apologize for all those not living in the Ottawa area, but this deserves a visit whenever you are visiting.

Le Nordik is a spa that is located at the entrance of Gatineau Park. Beyond getting any type of spa service, what makes this place unreal is the Nordic baths. A series of hot, warm and cool environments that invigorate and calm at the very same time. And beyond the feeling of the bath sequence is the actual setting it's in - outdoors and in the woods, surrounded by nothing but trees, peace and calm.

It's best to do the Nordic baths in the cooler months - sitting outside in a hot tub after running through a freezing cold water fall after coming from an extremely hot sauna...heaven. Plus, you can curl up in your robe outside and warm up fireside. Red cheeks, your breath hanging in the air, I'm relaxed just thinking about it.

www.lenordik.com

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Bandages

Thank you to my lovely sister for texting me today to tell me to watch the new Hey Rosetta! video, Bandages.

It's beautiful. It's perfect. It's lovely. It's heart warming.

I don't know why this video makes me so deliriously happy. It could be that the song is incredible, plus the Newfoundland scenes that I know so well, and all those smiling faces singing back-up.

I hate to admit this, because I used to be a bit of a robot, but the scene with the choir in red looking out over the cliffs brought a little moisture to my eyes. Just...I don't know. Lovely.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja_Hkk9j2nM

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Paolo Nutini

I love Paolo Nutini. I love him a lot. A lot a lot.

I love each song he has put out (ok, except Last Request, it just bugs me, but EVERYTHING else).

His voice is so unique, and he is just so adorable. And his video for Candy just makes me melt, and his video for Coming Up Easy just makes me laugh and laugh.

If I were only allowed to listen to five artists for the rest of my life he would be one of them...though why would that even happen...I'm just trying to make a point here.

Please do yourself a favour and buy his albums, listen to them in their entirety, and then go youtube his videos and fall completely head over heels.

www.paolonutini.com

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The Lonely Island

If you ever need a good laugh, and I'm talking a really good laugh, youtube The Lonely Island. More specifically, youtube Jack Sparrow/Michael Bolton and The Lonely Island. It is ridiculous. I have probably watched it about a hundred times. I still laugh. 

So, a silly post, but a must watch all the same. Enjoy!

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TED

I think I've been living in a bubble. How have I not heard of TED talks before?

So, in case you've never heard of it, I wanted to share. I think I'm going to become very addicted to this.

TED talks is dedicated to sharing 'Ideas Worth Spreading'; it's inspirational, funny, awe inspiring, informative - basically it can be whatever you are in the mood for. You can pick any talk to listen to from a library of thousands. You can choose a video that is 3 minutes long, or one that is 76 minutes long. You can watch in countless languages, and you can choose from many different speakers that you may or may not have heard of before.

It's incredible - honestly.

I'm posting a link to a short video that I really liked, but, like I said, there are so many to choose from that I'm sure there are many more that you will love.

www.ted.com/talks/ric_elias.html

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Duvets

I love my sleep. When running on a lack of sleep, or after one of those nights of restless sleep, it would be wise to avoid me. I do not behave in a very upstanding manner under these circumstances.

But back to the good stuff. Sleep. Under a big, cuddly duvet. Oh yes.

I don't think I discovered the love for duvets until my late teens, but since that day I've never slept with any other kind of blanket. Throughout all four seasons a duvet is just perfect. So amazingly warm in the cooler months, yet light and airy during warmer months. It's like it's two blankets in one - I'm still not sure of the exact reason this blanket can be the best for both worlds, but I'll leave those boring details to someone else to google. I'm just going to mindlessly curl up and enjoy.

Seriously, no blanket can get you warmer quicker. You will have the best sleeps from here on out, I (sort of) promise.

I really don't need to post a link here - duvet, go buy one.

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Carpineto

Mmmmm, wine.

Even more mmmmmmmmm's for Italian wine.

And one of my absolute favourites is Carpineto - and of my absolute favourite from this winery is called Dogajolo. The downside, I cannot find this in Ottawa. Very sad.

But, there are many others places to find this wine and it is absolutely wonderful. It can hold up to a meal featuring some kind of meat (especially wild game - preferably venison cooked by my favourite hunter, you know who you are) but this wine is also light enough to be devoured on its own.

Do me a favour and go find this delicious wine, sip slowly, have some cheese, maybe some cured meats, and say thank you to your local liquor store for having the sense to list this product.

www.carpineto.com

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