Foodie

What They Wore: Grey Goose Sunset Soiree Picnic

1 August, 2017 Nelia

I love picnics! I would picnic all the time in the summer, but I am way too lazy to put together a basket of provisions, blankets, utensils, drinks, and a million other things you need for an outdoorsy meal. Well, earlier this summer Grey Goose made my most exquisite picnic dreams come true and more!

The brand’s annual summer party was held at a Bridle Path mansion, its backyard set up with chic blue blankets and picnic baskets stuffed with a delicious meal prepared by Chef Justin Kent, along with an iced bucket of Grey Goose Rouge au Vin cocktail at the ready. With three lovely blanketmates, I enjoyed every moment of our picnic, sipping those refreshing cocktails, and devouring the incredible Poulet au Moutard, and other French-inspired nibbles.

After dinner, the guests spread around the grounds to enjoy the rest of the fun activations like a game of petanque, live music, a dove/goose balloon release, and Grey Goose Esspresso Martinis. There was even an artist on hand to sketch everyone’s stylish outfits! As afternoon stretched into late evening, the backyard was still abuzz with excitement – people dancing, mingling, and enjoying the free-flowing Grey Goose cocktails. And if that’s not a sign of a great summer party, then I don’t know what is.

If you’re planning on hosting your own al fresco soiree this summer, I highly recommend the Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz cocktail collection – these delicious concoctions will impress even the pickiest guest, and require only a few ingredients to whip up. I am also including Chef Kent’s recipe for Poulet au Moutard, because it was just too good not to recreate.

Happy picnicking!

More photos and recipes after the jump!
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Travel: 5 Things To Do in Lisbon

4 January, 2017 Nelia

As I am starting to plan my travels for 2017, I look back on our most memorable trip of 2016 to Portugal. To tell you the truth, I went with low expectations, but at the end of the day, I ended up falling in love with the beautiful country, its people, food, and crafts. Compared to a lot of other European countries, Portugal is still very affordable, so if you are looking for a new place to visit this year, I suggest you add Portugal to your itinerary. Today’s post is about beautiful Lisbon and some of the places you can visit while there. A post about my Algarve faves is coming soon.

1. Eat

Lisbon’s foodie scene was definitely a pleasant surprise. Nearly every single meal we had during our trip was a smash hit. There’s a plethora of delicious options at the admittedly touristy Time Out Market; the Piri Piri chicken from the Miguel Laffan stall was my personal favourite, but other restaurants were great too according to my friends and fellow travellers (just watch out for aggressive table stealers).

For a fresh take on ceviche, A Cevicheria is a must-visit. You won’t be impressed with the quantity of food at this tiny resto, but you will certainly love every bite.

For creative sushi, make sure to stop by Sushic (original or at Palacio Chiado). We ate there twice, trying various chef’s platters, gorging on buttery tuna tataki, and other delicious seafood. Just make sure to avoid the Tom Yum soup – it’s overpriced and totally not worth it. There are other options to try at Palacio Chiado (more hit and miss), but I’d recommend it for a quick casual lunchtime stop.

Fabulas is another great lunch spot with a charming patio, and a menu full of freshly-prepared Portuguese specialties like the super delicate codfish cakes. Despite its central location, this place is definitely not a tourist trap. Also, once they run out of a certain dish, they won’t make more, so go early.

As much as we wanted to make it to Pasteis de Belem to try their iconic pastries, we weren’t able to make it there this time, but we did make up for it at Manteigaria. Obviously, we can’t compare the two, but out of all the pasteis de nata that we’ve tried on this trip, the flaky, freshly baked custard tarts from Manteigaria were by far the yummiest.

If you’re craving a sweet cold treat, whatever you do, do not go to Amorino – it’s just not worth the calories. Go to Mu or Santini instead – their gelato is so much better! Also, paletas from PizPireto are incredible! We randomly found their amazing paletas at a gourmet store near A Cevicheria, but apparently they also have a shop just outside of central Lisbon.

For traditional Portuguese steak and chips, a couple of locals highly recommended Solar Dos Presuntos. And while I loved my steak, this place got mixed reviews from the rest of our group (they found it too pricey and not particularly memorable), so read other reviews before you go. Honestly though, I don’t think we had a bad food experience in Lisbon (apart from terrible gelato at Amorino and mediocre pastries at A Padaria Portuguesa).
More after the jump!
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Club Monaco Bloor Street Market 2016

1 June, 2016 Nelia

I’m a bit late with this post, but better late than never! Club Monaco Bloor Street Market has officially re-opened for the second summer in a row, adding a much-needed slice of greenery and good eats to the busy intersection of Bloor and Avenue. The market will stay open until the end of summer, and will house some of Toronto’s finest vendors. You can pick up the loveliest blooms from the Sweet Woodruff stall, grab a healthy and yummy lunch from Delica Kitchen, and for dessert, I highly recommend pastries from the Bake Shoppe (those pop-tarts are TDF!); there’s also frozen treats from The Pop Stand to get you through those hot summer days. If that’s not enough, you will also find Evolution Food Co cold-pressed juices, and Sam James Coffee Bar at the market.

This year, the market is definitely bigger and better – with more seating, more food options, and same “oasis-in-the-city” vibes. I’ve already stopped by a handful of times, and plan on having a few coffee dates at this lovely spot. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend a visit…and don’t forget to grab a pop-tart or two!

More photos after the jump!
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Travel: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

14 January, 2016 Nelia

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii. Over the years, I’ve been to many beach resorts, but Hawaii, with its volcanoes, hula skirts, and luaus, remained a dream. There were many excuses – the distance, the cost, never enough vacation days. But last year, I finally decided that it was time, and so le bf and I packed our suitcases and set off on a Hawaiian adventure.

After doing a bit of research, we decided on Maui’s Kaanapali Beach – a beautiful stretch of waterfront a stone’s throw away from Lahaina Town, Whalers Village, and Black Rock. After reading reviews for several properties, we decided on Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, and what an awesome choice it was!

We arrived at our hotel at night, jet-lagged and sleep-deprived, but from the moment we stepped inside, we knew we were going to have a great stay. Check-in was a breeze, and once we got our keys, we took a stroll through the beautiful open-air courtyard, with twinkly lights everywhere, and headed to our room. The room itself was well-appointed and very spacious. But we didn’t really appreciate its awesomeness until the next morning, when I opened the blinds and was greeted with a spectacular view of the ocean, palm trees, and the resort. The view did not get old the entire stay – each and every morning and evening I walked out on our balcony feeling grateful and in awe of the beauty we were surrounded by.

More after the jump!
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Foodie: Easter-Inspired High Tea at Shangri-La Hotel Toronto

29 March, 2015 Nelia

Last weekend, I took my mom to the Shangri-La Toronto to try the hotel’s latest Easter-inspired High Tea menu. Having already experienced the regular High Tea at Shangri-La last June, I had high expectations for the revamped menu. As we arrived at the Lobby Lounge, live piano music playing softly in the background, we settled into the comfy couch overlooking a fireplace, and took our time selecting our teas. Once our tea selections were made, we impatiently waited for the delicious tower to arrive. The menu promised a selection of the usual mouthwatering staples like Atlantic lobster brioche roll, honey baked ham with caramelized onion on sourdough bread, Pacific smoked salmon on dark rye, and warm English scones, with Easter-inspired additions of spiced hot cross buns, tropical Easter egg (coconut cream, mango curd and crispy meringue), and the religieuse profiterole (baked choux pastry with white chocolate orange blossom cream and lemon glaze). It all sounded and looked amazing.

I let my mom judge each plate, her enthusiasm growing with each bite. It was her first time experiencing the Shangri-La High Tea, and she was loving every minute of it. With our scones, we were served caramelized white chocolate jam, strawberry preserves and Cornish clotted cream, and I have to tell you that caramelized white chocolate jam was divine. I am not even embarrassed to share that we totally polished off the entire ramekin…with a spoon. Delicious!

By the time we got to the last plate – the prettiest of them all, we were almost hesitant to cut into the exquisite-looking desserts…almost! Of the four desserts, my favourite was the tropical Easter egg, which looked like a fried egg, but was instead a combination of delicate coconut cream, tangy mango curd, and crispy meringue. It was so good! Obviously the milk chocolate and raspberry verrine, Simnel fruit cake, and the religieuse profiterole were delicious as well. With the last dessert finished, we settled back into our comfy couch, chatting, sipping our White Rose tea, and enjoying the rest of our perfect afternoon at Shangri-La.

If you would like to try some of the limited-time offerings served at the Easter-inspired High Tea, it will be available until April 6 and is priced at CAD$42 per person or CAD$25 per child, served daily from 2-5 p.m. in the Lobby Lounge. And if that’s not enough, with the purchase of a chocolate Easter Egg ( the “Golden Egg” or “Toy Egg”) or the Easter-inspired High Tea, guests will receive a complimentary petite milk chocolate egg with the chance of receiving one of five winning ”red tickets” placed among the petite milk chocolate eggs. One winning petite chocolate egg will be revealed every other day throughout the Easter promotion period from 28 March to 6 April, 2015. “Red tickets” will signify that the person who received the petite egg has won the prize. The prize includes a tour of the pastry kitchen at Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto with pastry chef Kate Seigel for one person (the prize winner) and complimentary High Tea for a year in the Lobby Lounge of Shangri-La Hotel, Toronto for the winner and a guest (two people) once a month for twelve months (May 2015 – April 2016). Free High Tea for a year?! May the odds be ever in your favour!

More after the jump!
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What I Wore: Warm Spell

19 January, 2015 Nelia

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This past weekend, Torontonians got a momentary respite from the snow and frigid cold, and it felt wonderful. With temperatures hitting above zero, Canadians wasted no time shedding their winter layers, walking around in light coats, and swapping those scary winter boots for the cuter fall versions. I joined in on the fun, by wearing my coat open, with light but warm layers underneath. I felt so free!

Le bf and I took a stroll aroung Yonge and Lawrence, finally making our way to Bobette and Belle for a little afternoon treat, and we loved it! The place is inviting and oh-so-very-stylish, with yummy hot drinks, and even better desserts. I’m definitely going to be back!

By the end of the day, the weather had turned, and as we were making our way home, I had to button up, pull my coat’s collar up in order to avoid the wet snow from creeping inside my coat. I guess winter’s back, but we did get a little taste of spring, even if for a day.

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More after the jump!
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Style Days of Christmas: TASSIMO T65 Giveaway

8 December, 2014 Nelia

2014 STYLEDAYS OF CHRISTMAS - Tassimo

We are in our second week of Style Days of Christmas giveaways and today’s prize comes courtesy of TASSIMO! Who doesn’t love a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate…or even tea on a snowy evening?! Well, with TASSIMO T65 home brewer by BOSCH (valued at $249.99), you can make all of those, as well as drinks like Pumpkin Spice Latte, Peppermint Mocha, and French Vanilla Cappuccino. Entertaining during the holiday season is going to be so easy with this sleek coffee machine!

Interested? Enter below!

T65 Brewer with Beverages
Details after the jump!
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Travel: Queen of the Night in NYC

31 October, 2014 Nelia

qot-diamond-horseshoe

When I first heard about Queen of the Night I was definitely intrigued – a live-show that’s neither a theatre production, nor a musical, with a sexy circus twist, and an interactive dinner served in the darkness, with performers clad in Thom Browne-designed costumes? Sign me up! Well, the chance to see it all go down came up in September, when I was in New York for fashion week, and, of course, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

queen-of-the-night-decor2

Before the show, my friend and I were taken downstairs, a cocktail in hand, to spend some time exploring the venue, while the sexy butlers (who we soon found out were the night’s performers too) mingled with the crowd, luring people into secret rooms, asking some to complete a scavenger hunt in order to win a kiss. We weaved our way in and out of several rooms, checking out the intriguing decor, and watching an attendee hit on actor Bryan Greenberg in a wax-covered room. His fiance Jaimie Chung was there too; seated just behind the couple, we observed them laughing throughout the show, enjoying the performance. Celebrities like Hugh Jackman, Jude Law, John Legend, Jessica Alba, and Adriana Lima, among others had enjoyed the show at The Diamond Horseshoe this year, so you never know who you’ll run into on your visit.

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More after the jump!

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What I Wore: Share a Coke

6 August, 2014 Nelia

You may have heard of Share a Coke, or have seen the many “named” Coca Cola bottles in stores, but what you may not know is that you can actually get your very own Coca Cola can personalized with your not-so-popular name on it. Sure, you can probably find the most common names at your local grocery store, but what about the Nelias and the Hawleys of the world? Well, if your name is not on the list, you can stop by one of these locations and get your name or the name of your loved ones printed on a Coke can. Pretty cool, non?

This is not an advertorial, in case you were wondering. Growing up, I never could find a single thing with my name on it…not keychains, not t-shirts, and definitely not one of those mint boxes, so having my own personalized Coke bottle felt pretty special. So if, like me, you want to see your unusual name promptly displayed on something, now’s your chance!

More after the jump!

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Gadgets: Nespresso VertuoLine

6 March, 2014 Nelia

Thanks to this neverending winter and the polar vortex, I’ve become a weekend hermit. Instead of going out for brunch with le bf, my friends, and family, I’ve been making crepes, picking up pastries from the nearby Jules Patisserie, and scarfing it all down at home in the comfort of my kitchen with a cup of instant coffee. Having just moved into a pretty tiny house, our kitchen counter space is a precious commodity, and until now, le bf and I could not agree on a coffee machine to invest in. It all changed when I received a brand spanking new Nespresso VertuoLine machine.

Not only does Nespresso make stylish machines that would look amazing on anyone’s kitchen counter, but their coffees are also known to be very tasty and flavourful. Not a big fan of strong espressos, I was overjoyed to find out that Nespresso finally launched a machine that can make long coffees as well as espressos to satisfy all types of coffee lovers. With larger capsules that look like little planets instead of thimbles, the new Nespresso VertuoLine machines can “whip up” a large cup of coffee with thick foamy crema in 15 seconds, making the at-home coffee brewing experience feel extra decadent, and turning anyone into an amateur barista.

Last weekend, during the Slavic festival of Maslenitsa, I decided to finally give our Nespresso VertuoLine a try. Armed with a sample pack of capsules of various flavours and intensities, and with a few friends around the breakfast table, we welcomed spring with an abundance of crepes, and delicious coffee. So fun and easy!

If you are thinking about investing in a new coffee machine, my thoughts on the new Nespresso VertuoLine are after the jump!

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What They Wore: Grey Goose Sunset Soiree Picnic

Travel: 5 Things To Do in Lisbon

Club Monaco Bloor Street Market 2016

Travel: Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa

Foodie: Easter-Inspired High Tea at Shangri-La Hotel Toronto

What I Wore: Warm Spell

Style Days of Christmas: TASSIMO T65 Giveaway

Travel: Queen of the Night in NYC

Gadgets: Nespresso VertuoLine

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