I'll preface this by saying that I don't quite believe in Valentine's Day as everyday of the year should be filled with love and happiness towards whom ever you cherish the most. But yet again,  another year, another Valentine’s Day. While the pressure is on to find the cutest gift out there, why not gift the pleasure of an experience for two!


While cuddling and Netflix is great, it’s always a nice idea to wow your bae every once in a while. Keep things interesting, mix it up a little and do the unexpected that isn't Valentine's Day. And I don’t mean a dozen over-priced roses that will be dead in two weeks or a box of chocolates that you'll devour in three seconds. Break the cycle, folks!

This year, let's take a step back and kick it up a notch old school style - here are my top 10 date ideas for the season:

1. Hit Up a Burger Joint and Sip on Milkshakes

Thankfully we are blessed to be a city that is filled with restaurants so hitting up an old fashioned diner isn't too hard - from Tommy's, Harper's Burger Bar to the Works Burger Bistro. Falling in love over a milkshake? Yes please! And don't forget to ask for two straws!

2. Strike Out at Cloverleaf Lanes

This is a no brainer - looking for some fun but with a bit of competitive edge? Then head on over to Cloverleaf Lanes for a friendly game of bowling. Double date? Why not - the more the merrier when it comes to this get together.

3. Spend The Night In

Now days it's all about Netflix and chill, but why not head down to Classic Video on Clarence St with your special someone and pick out an old TV series for the night! Perhaps Dawson Creek or Save By The Bell? Don't forget the popcorn and sodas!

4. Board Games at The Alibi

Sometimes, a great date night can be as simple as pulling out a board game. All you really need are a few excellent game choices for 2 players on hand that aren’t gathering dust. Don't have any on hand? Then head on over to The Alibi located on Princess St in downtown Kingston for a pint or a fancy drink for the lady while enjoying their endless supplies of boardgames. From Scrabble to Cards Again Humanity, the night may just turn into making friends with the table next to you!

5. People Watch While Sipping on a Fancy Drink

What better way to spend time with your other half then sipping on cocktails and creating hilarious subtitles for those around you. If you're a couple that loves to laugh then concocting silly situations is right up your alley - seriously give it a try!

6. Arcade Games at Barcadia

Let's step back in time into a retro pinball and video game arcade - say hello to Barcadia. This is your chance to unleash your inner kid as you battle out your date and test their competitive side, and use it to flirt as well (obviously). Not a huge gamer? Don't worry you'll never be bored here - there's lots of cool items for newbies as well.

7. Be a Tourist

Living in the fabulous city of Kingston - there is always somewhere new to discover. Take your love for your partner and mesh it together. Remind yourself why you love living where you live by doing all the tourist things you just couldn’t pull yourself to do alone. Check out this list here for ideas!

8. Indulge in Local Ice Cream

Holding hands while eating ice cream? The cutest date ever. Whatever the season is - nothing beats a enjoying local goodness in a cone. Summer time? Head to White Mountain on Kingston St while in the winter nestle into the quaint Sipps Coffee and Dessert Bar for a taste of the County with their campfire ice cream from the amazing Slickers.

Better yet, try going on the hunt for Mr. Nice Cream - the ice cream truck from your childhood and indulge in a large twist soft serve with rainbow sprinkles with the person that you love.

9. Afternoon Tea at Delightfully Different Tea Room

Not as popular anymore but who doesn't love bite size sandwiches, fine china and scones? Although you may not have your own parlor room, sharing a cup of tea on an afternoon is a cute, romantic gesture that doesn’t require an extravagant setup. Delightfully Different Tea Room recently opened up next to Martello Alley and would make a wonderful spot to enjoy tea for two.

10. Live Music at the Grad Club

Probably one of my favourite places in Kingston for live music - the Grab Club near Queen's University campus is the go-to spot for indie folk bands that you and your date can groove to. Old school or not, this will definitely create a bond between you and your date!

What are some of your favourite old school date ideas?

- xoxo

A weekend getaway is always needed especially when you are a workaholic like myself from enjoying a good meal, getting a good night sleep and most importantly relaxing are key to a successful escape.


Less than an hour drive from Kingston, Ontario to upstate New York, I found myself at the charming 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Designated a AAA Four-Diamond rated hotel after just one year in operation, I was immediately drawn in with the cozy nautical decor of the front hall. Upon check-in and a wonderful welcome from staff as well as a site tour from concierge Katherine, we settled into our spacious room. This was the start of a wonderful couple's getaway in the quaint town of Clayton, New York.

Look at Her

A gem of a place - 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel caters to romantic getaways, weddings, vacations and the list goes on! The staff are friendly and always happy to assist you with every need or event. From a variety of deluxe room and suite accommodations, the hotel also features quite a bit of family-friendly perks which include an indoor heated pool, an outdoor fire pit and a fabulous concierge who will help you plan the perfect family vacation itinerary.

While the hotel has several wonderful amenities, I also very much appreciated the laid back style that made me feel right at home from the moment I walked in.

A Bed Thing

Nighty Night

Good Morning

After a wonderful night sleep and still in our pyjama's, we decided to stay cozy and order room service for breakfast. Of course coffee was a must and thanks to the hot beverage station located on each floor every morning, caffeine levels were certainly satisfied and refills were obtained.

As I drew the curtains open, I was welcomed with bright blue skies and a stunning view overlooking the St. Lawrence River - if you ever visit, always request for a waterfront view! You won't regret it.

With a knock at the door, breakfast was served. While my foodie partner-in-crime enjoyed eggs benny topped with Canadian bacon, house made hollandaise and home fries, I relished in strawberry stuffed French toast filled with cream cheese and strawberries drizzled with chocolate ganache served with local maple syrup. Goodness gracious was it delightful!

Exploring Time

After we checked out and said our farewell to the wonderful staff onsite, we decided that our journey to Clayton, New York was not just done yet.

The trip wouldn't be complete without strolling through Frink Park, Riverside Drive and James Street for a visit to the ever so popular River Rat Cheese for some local goodness and Boat Brewery just a few blocks away for local brews.

If you like wine, then Coyote Moon Vineyards is the place to be though if you're into gin or whiskey, then Clayton Distillery is for you!

Where: 200 Riverside Dr, Clayton, NY 13624, USA

Thank you 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel for the wonderful stay and sponsoring this post!

Québec City is a magical city and probably one of my favourites that I’ve been too - I was quite excited when I planned a trip for my mum and I to visit over the holidays. Though with that being said, as a Canadian, naturally I want to hibernate during the winter months, but sometimes you really get a reminder of just how magical winter can be, and a few days in Québec City can definitely remind you of that.


Transformed into a real Christmas village, wandering the historic district of old Québec was amazing with all the lights, decorations, and snow. It created an enchanting setting like no other.
Our two day journey allowed us to stroll through the cobblestones streets, admire the charm and of course indulge in local food.

Once we reached our destination via train, we settled into our room at Auberge Saint-Antoine - a quaint boutique hotel in the heart of Québec City. The first thing that caught my eye upon checking in were the artifacts integrated within the space throughout the hotel that were actually found during an extensive archaeological dig on the property.


After we freshened up and made ourselves at home, mum and I settled on a dinner spot just a few minutes away at Côtes-à-Côtes Resto Grill. I enjoyed my first Québecois meal of pea and ham soup followed by a scrumptious seafood seashell and to top it of a trio of crème brûlée. The symphony of flavours in the desert was heavenly with individual servings of maple, lemon and vanilla.


Upon our return to the hotel after exploring the town, a lovely good night note was placed on our beds during turn down service where staff get your bed prepped. It was the cutest thing and so unexpected!

The next day was filled with adventures and I had a spot for every hour of the day planned out. No matter what time of the year you arrive, there is plenty to explore, but Québec City is one of those places that actually comes alive during the cold season.

Here's a sneak peek at the must-see places in Québec City:

Panache 

What better way to start a winter adventure than with a mighty breakfast filled with flavour! Within the Auberge Saint-Antoine lies a hidden foodie gem called Panache. I enjoyed poached eggs with spinach, duck, wild mushrooms, classic hollandaise sauce and bacon. Goodness gracious was it so darn tasty and quite filling.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac 

Once you've reached the top, you are greeted with a warm welcome by more than just a hotel but a a Québec City icon. A tourist hot spot, we ventured inside to admire the grandness but also to relish in some wine and charcuterie at Bistro Le Sam. Simply put, Le Château Frontenac has been the true-life castle of many people's dreams.

As evening approached, mum and I returned to our hotel and enjoyed a cozy night-in at Cafe-Bar Artefact. p.s. If you have a sweet tooth, the salted caramel ice cream combined with maple popcorn and dark chocolate sauce and cheesecake was amazing! Let's just say, our trip to Québec City was lovely and filled with lots of new magical memories!

If you're anything like I am, you have mixed feelings about New Year's resolutions. Rather I find pleasure in reflecting in the past year. 2016 was filled with many opportunities, new employment, gaining better perspective, continued love and happiness but let's not forget the ups and downs as well.


As I look towards 2017 - I hope to find new ways to channel my imagination and creativity as I prosper in my blogging adventures but also daily life. With that being said, I'm sharing my tips on how I have grown as a blogger this year and managed not to be such a workaholic. Let's start the year with a fresh start and a new mindset:

1. Learning to Say No

As a blogger, you posses many hidden talents that slowly reveal themselves with the trade. Over the years, I have expanded my portfolio to include freelance writing, social media management and photography which now days keeps me quite busy on top of my amazing full-time job. So when approached with an exciting opportunity, it's always important to make an educated decision which will truly tell you if you are passionate about the project. Learning to say no is realizing that you are valuable and choosing your own opinion about yourself over others. With the urge to say yes, also comes a lack of self-confidence and self-value, this is a hard challenge especially when your plate is full. Remember you are an asset to your brand. Don’t be tempted by the perks because in the long run if it’s not great for your brand, your audience will know and become less engaged. Think longterm!

2. Staying Positive When Facing Adversity

As a blogger, conquering challenge and failure is essential to the success of your business. You can learn to cultivate that resilience by training your brain to stay positive when times are tough. A valuable takeaway I learnt from BlogPodium this past year, was to share the love and stepping away from negativity - no competition, no agenda and pardon my language, no freakin' bullshit. Staying positive leaves us more motivated, productive, and of course likely to succeed. Remember to fuel your passion and go that extra mile - blogging can be quite demanding with struggles of burnouts and criticism. So keep your head held up high and rock what you've got!

3. Strong Social Networking

It's hard to believe but it has been 5 years since I started my blog yet it was only this year that I found my tribe of supportive and like-minded women who are all individually each committed to their passions. But most importantly lift each other up. It is key to be your own person, create your own happiness and not let others bring you down. Through social networking, you can build a support system of gals who have your back. Don't hesitate to get outside your comfort zone - whether it's a conference, event or dinner to mingle with a fellow blogger or creative mind. The more you escape your little bubble, the more you're representing your brand.

4. Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks

Success doesn't happen overnight - it takes persistence and tenacity to get your foot in the door. But patience is the holy grail of hustling to get your way in the blogsphere. You can't be afraid to go the extra mile and while there's lots of ugly, you also need to also find a middle ground that will allow for work life balance. Trust me - juggling a day job, freelance writing, blogging and the list goes on, I have found my happy medium that keeps me sane yet I love it all. You need to work hard to play hard - no blogger woke up one day and instantly got amazing opportunities. They worked their butts off to get to where they are today!

This year I made the proud decision to leave what I thought at the beginning was a happy 9-5 job when I realized it was hurting my life, my creative abilities and my mental well-being. What followed were great months where I dedicated my time to my blog and revived that passion within me but also realized that I turned my blog into a business with a viable income. Remember to find the silver lining in each experience to stay motivated and that each mistake is a learning experience. As time went on, the circle came back around and I accepted another job in the tourism industry and have loved every second of it! Taking risks can be scary yet in the long run can also benefit you.

5. Self Care is Key

Taking care of your inner world as a blogger is crucial to not burning out. Self care comes in all shapes and sizes - whether it's taking a vacation, attending yoga sessions, spin classes or a movie night with friends. Life can be amazing and life can be challenging especially within the blogsphere. That is where self-care comes in. Taking care of myself is what I finally realized was the important next step I needed to take. It allowed me to have something left to give back to others. Taking care of oneself allows you to pull yourself back up into the world of the living.

And with self-care in your routine? Honey, you can take on the world!

For The History Buff

For The Outdoorsy

Where: Waterfront Gifts & Apparel - 248 Ontario Street, Kingston, ON

For The Foodie

Where: Memorial Farmers' Market, 105-303 York St, Kingston, ON

For The Decor Lover

What better way to celebrate your love for Kingston than with a vintage-style linen pillow. This unique item will become a treasured family heirloom for years to come and a great conversation piece.


Where: The Kingston Collective, 303 Bagot Street, Suite 14 Kingston, ON

For The Artsy

If you're shopping for those who regularly engage in creative thinking, chances are, all they want for Christmas are a few good ideas. Unfortunately, those aren't yet available for purchase. Though items that they can draw inspiration from such as this print by local Kingston artist Anthony Buttazzoni will make the perfect gift. Conveniently located at the newly open The Kingston Collective - home to a collection of locally made goods from artisans. This could be your one stop shop for all your holiday shopping!


Where: The Kingston Collective, 303 Bagot Street, Suite 14 Kingston, ON

Who are your favourite Kingston makers?

-xoxo

Cirque du Soeil is making its way back to Kingston with a new show titled OVO from December 7th to 11th - a headlong rush into a colourful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. Filled with mystery, beauty and moments of quiet emotion - it showcases the hidden, secret world beneath our feet.


A company that has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents, Kingston is thankful for the arrival of OVO especially with the holiday season. This exciting show is comprised of 50 performing artists from 12 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts and I had the most amazing opportunity to get a sneak peek at what goes on backstage before opening night and get an insider's look at the 'fashion' of all the costumes!

Costumes

This may just have to be my favourite part of any Cirque show as it is a world full of colours and costume designer for OVO Liz Vandal is the perfect fit. With a special affinity for the world of the insects, Vandal's signature style is inspired by futuristic superheroes and by suits of armour from all eras. OVO's costume design was conceived with inspiration from fashion designers such as Pierre Cardin, who focused on graphic lines and geometric shapes. But has also exploited the permanent pleating technique developed by Japanese designer Issey Miyake, which gives a certain rigidity to material and creates an organic effect. “We pushed this technique even further,” Vandal says, “by printing on colored materials, sublimation and eroding the fabric not only to stiffen it, but also to give it a metallic sheen.”

{One of the funny spider performer reveals her sensual side as she weaves her body over, under and through the strands of her web.}

The challenge that was poised was to imagine a way to evoke insects without copying their actual anatomy. “The solution was to connect with the feeling of being face to face with a spider, a cockroach or a butterfly,” she explains. As the costumes came together microscope photography of insects reveals that the materials used in the costumes were remarkably similar in structure to the bodies of insects. How amazing!

Set Design

The set elements for OVO are quite unique as they are integral to the storyline. Drawing inspiration from the structures that certain species of insect create when they establish nests and colonies was how designer Gringo Cardia created an organic space and interpreting nature.

The overall setting of OVO is a stylized habitat that is home to the insects. At times it is a forest, at other times, a cave—or it could even be a house. Gringo’s objective was to create an organic environment that could lead to many other places.

With the characters onstage, the set design comes to life!