Lately

If you didn't already know this, Amazon offered Prime members the opportunity to "Pre Order" the September issue of Vogue, which was delivered to me 4 days before it was due to hit newsstands. Along with the opportunity to receive an early copy, the mag was shipped in a "Limited Edition" box. The box was admittedly a bit underwhelming, though neither the contents of the magazine nor its covergirl disappointed. I'm definitely in awe of Beyonce but I wouldn't say that I'm a member of the beyhive. That being said, I really thought she looked amazingggggg in the September issue of Vogue.

Nothing really ignites a fire within me quite like the September issues. As a person that despised the heat of the Summer season (though I'm on board with every other aspect), I really look forward to that first breeze of the Fall season and the September issue for me signals a bit of "Back to School" fever as far as fashion is concerned.

To be 100% transparent, I'm seriously considering purchasing a second copy. 1 will be kept pristine in the box and one will be for pulling inspiration from. I can't decide if this act takes me into full on hoarder mode or not. (Editor's note: I have a magazine "Archive" in our apartment).

I recently had my very first lobster roll (via Luke's Lobsters at Pier 13)-safe to say that I'm 1000% converted. Happily we'll be attending a wedding in Maine in September and my bridesmaid dress is (thankfully) quite stretchy. I'm going to eat all the lobster rolls that I can get my hands on. #allthelobsterrolls

You can view the Food Truck Calendar for Pier 13 here.

   

We also enjoyed waffles from Waffle de Lys. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! 

Congratulations to me, I'm officially a stereotype-I am now a highlighter/bronzer user.  While visiting the new Nars boutique in the mall, I was treated to a mini makeover using the Liquid Gold Face Set and I have to admit that I felt rather fabulous and JLO-like. I was planning to bring it with me to Cancun, but I've been using IRL since I purchased it. eep. 

My obsession with pearls continues. I picked up this very cool, dainty necklace at The Fig last week and I'm so happy that I did, I love it even more every day!

My best friend brought me back milk and dark chocolate covered cranberries from her trip to Nantucket. I would never call myself a "cranberry person" but these are so damn good. They're even better late at night after they've been chilling in the fridge!

I've started to add to my fall wardrobe and as you can see above, I'm really excited to start incorporating colors into my everyday style! #kidding

My new favorite nail polish is Elegantly Wasted by Trust Fund Beauty. Thanks to my best friend for giving it to me! 

Canadian Favorites; Kingston Edition

Since my second trip to Canada, I've started to collect a few favorite places to visit while in the country, keep reading to see my Ontario favorites!

Kingston Olive Oil Company

• On my last visit I was introduced to this awesome oil company in a pop-up shop near Fort Henry in Kingston. This year, my mom (who is equally smitten) and I made it a point to visit their full store in downtown Kingston on Brock street. 

Coffee & Company

• I popped into Coffee & Company for a quick "fancy" coffee beverage towards the end our trip (a week sans fancy beverages was almost too much). In addition to receiving a delicious "Milano" with latte art, I had a great 5 minute conversation with a few members of the staff and found myself wanting to sit down and grow some roots in the cute shop.

Cooke's Fine Foods

• Cooke's was recommended to us by one of our fishing guides as the place to pick up pepper jelly. Not a fan of peppers myself, I walked out with a pound of their locally roasted Chez Peggy II coffee beans for my husband and a cappuccino chocolate bar made by Galerie Au Chocolat for myself. Located on Brock St across from Kingston Olive Oil company, you could easily spend an hour in there browsing all the novelty foods available. 

City + Cargo

• Stumbling upon City + Cargo was such a happy accident. While waiting for my mom outside the Kingston Olive Oil Co (she got a bit carried away), I walked next door to City + Cargo after spotting GORGEOUS leather goods in the window. I didn't make a purchase that day, but I kept thinking about this classic tote bag and made a second trip to Kingston specifically for one of these totes to bring home. I love to support other small businesses and part of the fun of purchasing this bag was talking to the owner of the store who made my bag with his own hands. Hearing how passionate he was about his products was infectious and left a strong impression on me.

Bubba's Pizzeria

• While shopping for my beloved tote, the troops became restless. What I mean to say is that my younger siblings who have to eat approximately once per hour became quite hangry after realizing we drove 35 minutes for me to buy a purse. We wandered into Bubba's to appease them and wound up stumbling upon "The Best Poutine in Town". I have to say, I was thoroughly surprised, it was amazing. Having no other Poutine to compare against, I'd say Bubba's was definitely the best. What Bubba's lacks in decor, it makes up for in cheese curds. I'd happily stop back for lunch! PS the pictured size is listed as a "small", Canadians must have different sizing up there because I could only get through about 1/3 of it before one of the troops commandeered it. 

A Canadian Love Affair

Last week I returned from a relaxing and fun week spent in Canada with my family (Mom and Step Dad, 4 siblings aged 7-19, and Grandpa). This was my second trip up, and was my Grandpa's 15th. He started on a solo fishing trip and over the years gathered grandkids and kids to take with him. Next year is already booked and we are now adding my mom's best friend and her family to the mix!

We were in Gananoque (Gan-uh-knock-wee), Ontario. It's about a 6 hour drive from NJ (7.5 if you add in stops). Gananoque is just over the Canadian border and is located right next to the 1000 Islands region. We stayed directly on Lake Gananoque at Tedford's Lakeside Lodge. The family that runs the lodge could not be nicer, even accommodating my pescatarian diet and my brother's Froot Loop diet.

Of the 7 days we were in Canada, 3 were spent on the lake with our super knowledgeable and friendly guides that have lived their entire lives on/around the lake. Typically we will fish in the morning, eat our catch for lunch, and then fish in the afternoon for sport (throwing back all fish that won't be eaten).

What follows is a visual recollection of our trip!

L-R: Braedon, Me (26), Kyran (14), Gabrielle (19), and Gavin

In Canada, milk is sold in a bag. My mother got a huge kick out of this and was insistent that I needed to take a pic for my blog.

Just a few essentials! [Sunscreen; camera, facial oil, body oil]

My mom with one of her biggest catches!

My siblings and I are fully on board with the athletic slide trend-our opinions differ on who makes the best ones!

Gavin-12

One of my only catches from the entire trip.

Braedon-7

During breakfast the last day of our trip, family awards are presented. I won for the smallest fish caught and the most seaweed or "salad" caught. Pretty fitting for a pescatarian!

A few delicious treats smuggled into the US from Kingston.