Eating like an aristocrat

Last month I found myself in Yorkville quite by surprise so I insisted on a stop at Pusateri's for some treats.  I tried kale chips for the first time.  Me no likey.  I don't understand what the big deal is about them.  I do understand the big deal about cashews dipped in maple crunch then covered with chocolate.  I didn't even get a taste of the salmon - but the cheese was amazingly yummy!  If anyone has any tips on how to crack a quail egg please let me know - they are tough little things!


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Have a fabulous day!

My birthday (2 months later!)

The problem with being so intensely busy at certain times of the year is the backlog of photos and posts I don't have time to think about let alone publish!  Now that life is quieter (read: saner) I am able to go through my camera (over 3000 photos!  Yikes!) and get posts organized, prepped and ready for you!

My birthday was a quiet affair - the Suburban Prince and Little Prince took me into the city for lunch at my favourite restaurant in Yorkville.  The food there is ok, consistent, but the people watching is awesome!  I always call ahead and book my favourite table so I have the best seat in the house!

First off tho...

You may recall I did a giveaway for the Luna company a while ago and they were so much fun to work with!  They sent me a big box of their bars to try out and review and they gave away boxes of bars to my readers!  As if that wasn't enough....look what they sent me for my birthday!  How sweet!  I love their bars for a treat in the afternoon - so much healthier than a chocolate bar and just as, if not more yummy! Thank you Luna!!

Cousin Willie and his wife sent me these pretty flowers!  I was out having my toes done and came home to this big bouquet!  Such a lovely surprise!  Thank you Cousin Willie!

I ordered a few things for myself from The Preppy Princess and she was soooooo kind and sent me a little present all wrapped up and tied with a bow!  Lilly Pulitzer croakies were inside!  I love them!  Thank you Preppy Princess!

We made a quick stop at Hermes for my perfume (let's not even talk about how it was half the price at duty free in Scotland) then made our way to lunch.  Important things first...bubbly and a beer. 

 We saw a wedding go by!  A few Goyard bags, lots of spendy cars and more than one famous person.  Lunch was yummy - I am a creature of habit and always order the same thing at every restaurant I go to...at Remy's it's the penne pollo.

What's this?  Downton Abbey across the street?  

William Ashley had their windows all done up for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic and tied it in with a Downton Abbey promo!  Serious eye candy!

The 'skins' on the front windows were very impressive!

I think this is meant to be the downstairs kitchen/dining area.

 Upstairs dining....I love the candelabra!  I went inside to enter the contest but I didn't win.  Too bad!

On our way to the gourmet grocery store we passed Kevin O'Leary.  I'm still kicking myself for not giving him my elevator pitch but the Suburban Prince wasn't paying attention and couldn't confirm it was him.  Anyhoo, I'm 99% sure it was him and will be sure to shove ribbon at him the next time I pass him in the street.

I'm not a desserty person.  I love chocolate and feel if it isn't chocolate, it isn't dessert so usually I pass and my waistline thanks me.  I do make two exceptions tho...key lime meringue pie and Swedish princess cake.  I did a little searching and found a Swedish bakery in Toronto that makes them so after a little bit of twitter tag I got my rincess cake ordered!  Since they are not open on Sundays (the only day I would be in the city) they made arrangements with the butcher across the street that is open on Sundays so I could still get my cake!  Now that's customer service!  Thank you Beaches Bake Shop!  

I think a pink and green cake is just perfect!  That's not fondant...it's almond paste and tastes so perfect with the other elements of the cake!  On our way home from lunch and shopping we stopped to pick up my cake and made our way home.  We relaxed on the couch together all with a slice of cake.  Ahhhhh.

Sponge, jam, pastry cream, whipped cream...oh my!  Yum!  I was very impressed at the size and price of this cake and it even managed to last long enough to share with a couple of people!

In case you are wondering what the Suburban Prince gave me....my Hermes perfume, a Lilly laptop sleeve, a KJP bracelet, eyelash serum, and a bee garden ornament.

Adrienne at The Rich Life sent me this KJP bracelet...I love it!  I've had sooo many compliments on it!  Thank you Adrienne!

Wendy at Madras & Pearls made this pearl bracelet for me and sent it up!  I love it and wear it all the time!  Thank you Wendy! It's perfect for summer!

I think that's everything...if I forgot someone or something please let me know so I can make the addition!

If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!

Have a fabulous day!

Christmas Shopping in the City

In December we spent the day in Toronto doing all of what used to be my favourite things.  A trip to the Eaton Center has been on the list of Christmas activities for as long as I can remember.  I have wonderful memories of the big escalators, Christmas music, hustle, bustle, visiting Santa, shopping, eating and so much more!

In recent years the Eaton Center has become less and less what I love about the city.  The restaurant we ate in for years and years has closed.  The big tree doesn't sparkle quite like it used to.  The music is too loud and too....generic.  Even Santa has opted to stay at the North Pole rather than sit upon his gilded throne in the middle of the mall.

I used to be able to count on The Bay department store being the highlight of the entire trip to the city.  Christmas Street was a place to get lost in...looking at all of the ornaments and decorations, imagining a home brimming with sparkly baubles.  I have outfitted my own trees with many ornaments from The Bay - the 5th floor always held a special spot in my heart.

Last year they moved Santa to the basement.  It all goes downhill from there.

Christmas Street is more of cul-de-sac.  In fact it looks about one step away from pallets in the warehouse.  It is maybe 1/10 of the size it once was and it is in the busiest part of the store - I was almost mowed down a few times by people rushing to catch the train. 

Santa only makes an appearance at the weekends...I heard only by appointment.  WTH?

Next year we will probably skip the Eaton Center altogether and go right from the Christmas Market to Yorkville for dinner.  In the meantime...here are photos I took while walking around....

A huge lit up reindeer in the middle of the mall!

Really huge!

Three stories huge!

A visit to the Silver Elvis is mandatory when on Queen Street at Christmas!

The windows at The Bay are always beautifully done.  

They have been the same for years!

Yes, that's my pink gingham umbrella!

It's always so nice to see the windows all done up.  The details are amazing!

Nutcracker bears in The Bay.

This could be out year round!

My living room tree is decorated with crowns so I always keep 

an eye out for them.  There were a few different styles this year.

I picked up a couple of these too!

I always find green ornament a little bit odd...unless your tree isn't green!

Further evidence to support the Preppy Princess's notion that Santa is a prep.

My previous posts on the same mall/stores are here and here

Have a fabulous day!

Toronto's Christmas Market

In December we went to Toronto to visit the Christmas Market in the Distillery District.  I heard about it last year but missed it so I was determined to get there this year!  I was a rainy day but mild temps meant it was easy enough to walk around - fortunately the rain stayed away while we were outside.

I took this photo on the way out against the potential of sunset!

Ever since seeing Nigella at the German 

Christmas Market I have been slightly obsessed with them.  

They seem to encompass everything Christmas is about!

I love all the little huts!  

Each is beautifully decorated with garland and lights.

I couldn't wait to visit each one!  

Heat Miser!!

Frageeeeleee!

There is a patio with warming stations laid out with

weatherproof furniture and firepits.  

The fire smelled wonderful!

 

Prince Charming is our hero!  Santa was about to go feed the 

reindeer when he stopped him and managed to get us in for a visit!

Each day there are carollers and other performers.  

One of my favourites, Matt Dusk had a concert at 

the Market on a Friday night!

Lots of European foods to sample and take home!   

I bought the mincemeat tarts...they are very yummy!  

My neighbour came over and ate 5 of them after dinner!

Chocolate covered everything!

Chocolate dipped bacon would've been better if the bacon 

had been cooked longer.  Chewy bacon and melted 

chocolate just make for a big mess.

Why is the pig eating bacon?

The Little Prince spotted the carousel and made a beeline for it!

Once he found out he needed a ticket the Suburban Prince 

was led by the hand to the ticket booth to buy one.

I loved the market and look forward to visiting next...errr this year.  It is very kid friendly and there is so much to see!  Hopefully the weather will be nicer next time so we can sit and enjoy a drinkipoo by the fire!

Have a fabulous day!