WEEKEND SALUTE

This past week at Tomfoolery & Bright:

summer's stripes on stripes
a full belly at Toronto's Underground Market (TUM)
these No-Bake Energy Bites
and, who said pizza parties were for kids, anyway?

This weekend is about to come and go in a flash. My football team, the Lady 'Roos, are headed to Ottawa early tomorrow morning for a game and then back again on Sunday. I imagine most of the weekend will be spent sitting in a car. At least it will be spent with some fun gals (I guess we can look at it as a road trip of sorts...)! In preparation, I'm looking for easy-to-make snacks for the road, like these: 

An easy seed and fruit trail mix.

No-Bake Energy Bites (from earlier this week) or a variation.

Veggie sticks in a cup with dip!

Simple veggie roll-ups (could use nitrate-free turkey, too, or keep them vegetarian and add hummus).

Or protein-packed muffins like these!

What are your favourite snacks to take on the road?

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images via taste, the pioneer woman, mark's daily apple, and spearmint baby 

ST. LUCIA

It's been a long time coming, but here are some photos from R and I's trip to the gorgeous St. Lucia.

It was an amazing trip. I would definitely go back, although maybe do things differently next time. I have a friend from St. Lucia and it'd be great to go there with him and see things through a local's perspective. Otherwise, it was beautiful. We stayed at a smaller resort, where it was all couples (mostly honeymooners and those celebrating their 30th anniversary, actually), which I really liked. It was calm and relaxing in comparison to our trip to Jamaica last winter. Yet, there were still activities like kayaking and sailing to enjoy at our leisure. The food was great (their beef was exceptionally tender!), and the sunshine tempted me to stay longer. Oh, and did I mention it's beautiful. The vegetation alone was luscious and incredible to look at. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Ahh, memories. Where do you like to vacation?

INSTA-TRAVEL

1/ up in the air 2/ The Pier Restaurant 3/ sandy toes! 4/ R and I 5/ airport food, cobb salad

Here are a few snapshots from R and I's trip to the beautiful St. Lucia--these are from my iPhone, more (actual) photos to come later this week.

Happy Monday, all you beautiful people!

NYC EATS

R and I love food but not like some of our friends, who plan their entire trip around where they're going to eat (I guess we're not acclaimed foodies, but we do appreciate good food). We always welcome recommendations for places to eat when we travel, but we rarely plan our trips around specific restaurants--unless of course there's somewhere we're just dying to try.

Unlike last year when R and I went to New York, this time around we didn't make any plans as to where we'd dine (in the past, we've made reservations at both Four Seasons and Sushi Samba). Despite this, we managed to enjoy a few great places on a whim, from Korean barbecue and inexpensive, yet delicious Thai food to oysters in Williamsburg and a quick lunch at Fanelli's in Soho. Here are the goods:

Burger and Rice Set with Egg

Prime and Beyond / what: an American steakhouse with an Asian twist? / where: East Village / what we ate: R enjoyed the Wet Aged NY Striploin, while I opted for the Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl (really delicious) / what to try: they're known for their 'Super-Size Steaks', so I'd try one of these next time around (shared, of course)--the Key Lime Pie with a cheesecake-like consistency and very little crust is also good / what we love: it could totally work as a tapas restaurant--check out the menu, share plates anyone?

Beef Noodles

Republic / what: healthy, nutritious, and reasonably priced Asian cuisine boasting flavours from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and China / where: Union Square / what we ate: R had the Spicy Seafood Soup (rice noodles with shrimp, squid, scallops, and catfish in a broth with scallions, bean sprouts, and shallots) and I had the Seafood Pad Thai (rice noodles, shrimp, and squid with loads of veggies, tamarind, and peanuts)--we shared the Flan for dessert / what to try: I would definitely return to Republic and if I did, I would order the Spicy Duck in broth / what we love: on top of having great prices, the portions are well-sized (lots for leftovers for the next day's lunch) and we can't forget the communal seating!

'Le Grand Maison'

Maison Premiere / what: a cocktail and raw bar tucked away (almost) like a secret / where: Williamsburg, Brooklyn / what we ate: we dined with my brother, who just so happened to be in the city and with a good friend of his--the four of us enjoyed Le Grand Maison, a three-tier platter of seafood, which included oysters, clams, scallops, crab, shrimp, and lobster (it was absolutely divine) / what to try: I think we tried it all? / what we love: it's just a raw bar--don't expect to order a side of pasta or to even get a bread basket (seafood lovers unite).

The dessert counter at Fabiane's: cheescakes, Black Forest Cakes, mousses,
creme brulees, pastries.

Fabiane's Cafe and Pastry Shop / what: an American bakery with (almost exclusively) gluten-free desserts / where: Williamsburg / what we ate: after dinner at Maison Premiere, we ventured down the street to Fabiane's where R ordered the Carrot Cake (which was more like an orange spice cake with some carrots) and I tried the Gluten-Free Black Forest Cake, which had a good consistency and light, fluffy frosting / what to try: any of their desserts--the selection is vast! / what we love: that the cake slices are actually mini cakes (kind of like the ones you made as a kid in your Easy Bake Oven)--cute!

Fanelli's in Soho

Fanelli's Cafe / what: a quaint cafe serving up cheap pub grub / where: Soho / what we ate: R ordered the omelette with fries and I the clam chowder--both delicious / what to try: the Pumpkin Ravioli with Alfredo Sauce? I don't know, it sounds good / what we love: it was a good, quick meal to recharge during a day of shopping.  

Other good eats we stumbled across were at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Terrace Cafe, where R enjoyed the Roasted Turkey Ciabatta with Pesto Mayo and I, a wholesome bowl of Chilli with Beef Sirloin and Multigrain Bread.

Okay, now I'm hungry.

Do you have any favourite places to eat in New York or other cities you like to visit?

images via yelp, prime and beyond, republic, and maison premiere

PHOTO DIARY

Picking up our NYC Passes in Times Square.

Taking a break in Central Square.

Birds at the American Museum of Natural History.

R on the Brooklyn Bridge, post-bike ride.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden (was vast and stunning).

An art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.

Napoleon at the Met.

View of Manhattan from the Top of the Rock.

Just a few photos from R and I's trip to NYC this past weekend. We spent most of our time in Manhattan, but also went to Brooklyn for a day and checked out the Williamsburg neighbourhood. We bought New York City Passes this time around, too, which were great. You pay $80 for a one-day pass that gives you access to up to 50 different attractions. We bought the two-day pass and got fantastic use out of it (the American Museum of Natural History, the Met, Top of the Rock, bike rentals, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Brooklyn Museum)--I definitely recommend it. 

For foodies, stay tuned for tomorrow's post, when I'll fill you in on all the places we stopped into for a bite to eat.

Happy Tuesday!

OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

These little babies are showing up everywhere around the city. And I want one!

Okay, maybe this is a slightly older model (which I think I prefer over the modern version). Regardless, the Fiat 500 is totally adorable! And as you may--or may not--know, I'm taking driving lessons (finally) and am therefore on the hunt for a car in the not-so-near future.

I have yet to get my full license, but it's never too early to start lookin', right?

image via google

WEST - EAST (JE SUIS REVENU)

Fresh raspberries from Mum and Dad's garden.

One of my best teachers: my Mum, 'the sewing machine'.

Old friends.

Outdoor dinner parties with loved ones.

And a promise between two friends for one hell of an adventure.


Where to begin?! The past couple weeks were full of special moments. I flew back to B.C. for ten days, and while the time usually crawls when I head back west, this time everything just seemed to fly by. 

I caught up with family and old friends, enjoyed the outdoors (as did the outdoors enjoy me--mosquitoes, anyone?), and squeezed in some much needed R&R.

I returned to the city (and to R and Zoey) this past Friday and by noon Saturday, was (re)packed for a weekend of wedding fun in Niagara Falls.

So, while I still collect myself--from all the excitement!--here's a list of some 'likes' and 'dislikes' of my time (well-) spent back home:

Because it's all about the little things, and appreciating what you already have.

LIKES
That my parents' house is surrounded by woodlands, making for a refreshing afternoon run.

My mom's massive collection of craft and sewing materials (she's a hoarder).

A (very) well-stocked refrigerator. And second refrigeratore in the basement. And two huge deep freezer chests.

My bright orange childhood bedroom.

The small town charm.


DISLIKES
That running in the woods freaked the hell out of me, with quail scurrying about, woodpeckers pecking, snakes slithering, and ducks gone quacky--I was keeping my eyes out for bears, so you can imagine my shock when I came across all of these critters, not to mention my growing fear of birds (have you ever watched Hitchcock's The Birds?).

The fact that I can only squeeze so much craft and sewing materials into my backpack to bring back with me.

That when I leave, not only am I leaving my family and friends, but a house full of food.

How bright my bedroom is in the morning. Agh.

The small town mentality. And that the small town charm doesn't work so well in the big city--I tried this afternoon and was nearly abducted or just stalked, or both?


Lots of bits and pieces to share this week and the next, so stay tuned!

images via google, healthy livin', and tumblr perfect pics

RÊVES PARISIENNE

Okay, so I'm not going to start writing all of my posts in French, but I just got back from Montreal on Friday and the other night, R and I went to see Midnight in Paris, so you can understand why I  might be a little smitten with the French--the idea of France, Europe, ya' know?

I was visiting my good friend C in Montreal, Quebec and she's bilingual, so she was able to translate if need be. However, from trying to read signs in French and order food--Je voudrais une poutine grosse = I would like a large poutine (which is all you need to know in Quebec)--I was able to make out a bit of the language. I even did a boxing class all in French, and even if my girlfriend hadn't been there, I think I would've been okay.

I studied French all throughout high school (I also studied German for three years, Spanish for one, and Portuguese for another), but unless you use the language, you lose it. Reason number one why I should make a trip to France.

As wonderful as the language is, though, enough about that. Other reasons why France has swept me off my feet? Well, sadly, a film. I've never been to Europe, let alone France, so my idea of Paris, say, is limited. Yet, if I had to create a collage representative of what I thought Paris was like, a lot of the images in last night's film would have been included. The architecture, the pretty little details of cobblestone  roads and ornate decoration, the fine dining, and yet, the elegant simplicity of the lifestyle.

I used to dream of traveling to Japan or Indonesia, but R would always mention how we should make a trip to Paris. While Japan and Indonesia still top my list, Paris doesn't seem like a such a bad idea after all.

I highly recommend seeing Midnight in Paris. I haven't seen many Woody Allen films, so if you're a fan, maybe you wouldn't consider this one of his finer works--personally, I have no idea, but I thought the film was fantastic. If you are interested in seeing it, definitely see it on the big screen. The images alone are gorgeous to look at. The film is romantic and smart, with a light and fun humour.  

Happy (day dreamin') Monday!

images via pinterest and strikes our fancy

À BIENTÔT

I'm off to Montreal, Quebec for a week of fun with my girlfriend, C. We met in second year university and we've been good friends ever since. Last fall, C moved from Toronto to Montreal, though, for a job with the Weather Network (she's a brainiac, into meteorology and all that weather stuff). And while I couldn't be happier for her, I do wish she lived closer! That said, I can't wait for my visit. We have plans to do some hiking, yoga, and biking in Old Montreal--an action-packed week! Fingers crossed that the weather holds out for us--ahem, C, work your magic.

See you all soon!

image via leslie miles

FIJI DREAMS

I want to go here. And eat this. And see that.

I adore the tropics. Oh, the gorgeous hues, the exotic delicacies, the exciting culture, and we mustn't forget, the wonderfully warm temperatures. Ahhh.

One-way ticket, please.

images via Google