As you may or may not know already, one of the many gigs I do (aside from being a workaholic) is social media for two local boutiques, Agent 99 and Blueprint Clothing in my adoptive town of Kingston. I work with fabulous people and the brands they carry are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I had the opportunity to collaborate with local gal Jesse Whale of Closett Candyy for a Valentine Lookbook and yes I dabble in photography. Here's a little secret - I'm not one to self promote a whole lot but I'm getting there!

Here are a few of my favourite shots:

“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet. Come and connect at The End of the Thread…” and you won’t ever want to leave. Situated on the corner of Princess Street and Montreal Street in historical downtown Kingston, it was a mix and match of a financial and artistic background that brought owners Steve and Tracey to open up shop and begin a serendipitous adventure in the Limestone city.

With their original location in Brighton open for six years already, it was time for a change of scenery. End of the Thread Antique Emporium is not your traditional antique shop – it is a mix of vintage and new pieces but also unusual one-of-a-kind items. You best be thrilled with your purchase, as returns are not accepted.

Keep reading here on the Kingston Lobby.

If you don't know this already about me, well let let me tell ya! I'm all about that brunch time - an indulgent wake-up call complete with fluffy pancakes, eggs benny or french toast can cure any hangover or weekday exhaustion in my books. While there is no shortage of spots to eat out in Kingston, I have my favourites that satisfy my morning sweet tooth or savoury delight cravings. Taking each bite after a sip of coffee is always gratifying!

My favourite spots in downtown Kingston:

Sleepless Goat

Where: 91 Princess Street

Half stack of french toast with good ole maple syrup!

{Sleepless Goat}

Dianne's

Where: 195 Ontario Street

You can't go wrong with eggs benny with a side of chowder and lobster!

Add a bit of spunk, sparkle and beauty and you've found the Lamb sisters, Calie and Samantha of Two Lamb Boutique. These gals are all about unique, stylish accessories and clothing. When I first met them at a pop up shop in Kingston, Ontario, I was blown away by their passion for one of a kind pieces. Having grown up in a small town, from a young age they were always on the pursuit to finding something special in neighbouring thrift shops, flea markets and independent boutiques. Career gals by day, fashionistas by night - Two Lamb is a Toronto based e-boutique that truly deserves props! You know me and pretty things - one of each please!

A few of their stunning pieces:

Guess what Kingston?! 

Award-winning all-you-can-eat buffet, Mandarin Restaurant is welcoming the New Year with the announcement of its latest location in Kingston Ontario in spring 2015.

Set to open in spring 2015, this is the first Mandarin branch in Eastern Ontario, located in the Frontenac Mall on Bath Road.

"We are absolutely delighted to open our doors in the original capital of Canada," says Mandarin President James Chiu. "It is an historic move for Mandarin as we enter Eastern Ontario and open in a city with such a vibrant mix of community-minded people and businesses," he added.

The Kingston location will serve many of the same delicious dishes from Mandarin's popular buffet lineup.  "Mandarin focuses on providing high-quality food and service to our valued customers. We thank everyone in Kingston for welcoming us to this great city, and we invite them all to experience our award-winning, all-you-can-eat buffet," Mr. Chiu said.

Since opening the first restaurant in Brampton in 1979, Mandarin has focused on steady growth in Southern Ontario. The opening of the Kingston location will bring the total number of Mandarin locations to 24. 

Get excited Kingston!

For more information, visit mandarinrestaurant.com.

If you don't know this about me yet, I love SPRINKLES so obviously anything with them I love too! So when I heard that Kim Laidlaw from the test kitchen of CHOW had bestowed upon us a marvellous creation known as the "turducken" of doughnuts, I was beyond thrilled. And no, this does not involve any type of meat!

The breakfast pastry has custard, chocolate, and a freaking apple fritter in other words say hello to "a cream-filled, double-fried, chocolate-glazed vector of desire paved with sprinkles as subversively menacing as clownface." Though not available anywhere yet, sharing is caring and too all those donut lovers, sprinkles all the way!

What's your favourite donut?

Photos by Chris Rochelle

Let's face it, I'm not a huge make up gal and have had the same make up routine for years but I'm slowly branching out and experimenting with new make up products. The one I've been loving so far for contouring is Benefit's Hoola Bronzer powder. It gives me the infamous Kim Kardashian glow so to speak.


This matte bronzing powder brightens up even the palest of complexions for an all year round gorgeously glowing tan. Sweep over your chin, cheeks and forehead to achieve a natural looking kiss from the sun. It sounds intimidating, but it's seriously simple - if I can do it, so can you! Contouring is all about giving you subtle definition and enhancing your facial structure. I'm not one to cake on loads of make up but rather bring out my natural features especially with my tanned skin colour. Sorry ladies but I only allot 10 minutes or so in the morning for makeup and adding Benefit's Hoola Bronzer to my routine has done wonders. Also Benefit sure does have the cutest packaging!

Are you a Benefit gal?

Living in the city, you would think gardening an impossible task. Though, urban gardening is actually quite common and herbs are most easily grown. Basil is quite the aromatic herb and come summer, it can be used readily in the kitchen while cooking. After an evening of harvesting my basil plant, a simple yet filling recipe for a night in that popped into my mind was basil pesto pasta – with a twist of course, smoked garlic!

INGREDIENTS

Smoked Garlic Head

1 Head of Garlic

Pinch of Black Pepper

Pinch of Smoked Sea Salt (preferably The Salty Don)

Basil Pesto

3 Cups Fresh Basil

1 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2/3 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Reggiano Cheese

1/2 Teaspoon of Smoked Sea Salt (preferably The Salty Don)

1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper

Pasta

250 g of Tagliatelle 

INSTRUCTIONS

Smoked Garlic Head

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Slice the head of garlic off as so all cloves are exposed, set head in a piece of foil and drizzle oil olive and sprinkle a pinch of smoked sea salt over top. Secure garlic head in foil and cover so the olive oil does not leak out. Place on a tray and into the oven for 30 minutes or until cloves are nice and soft.

Basil Garlic Pesto

Place the 3 cups of basil and smooth garlic cloves in a blender. Pour in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and pulse until basil is blended into a thick paste. Gradually add Parmesan Reggiano cheese, smoked sea salt and black pepper. Add remaining olive oil in a steady stream while the blender is running. Continue to blend until smooth and occasionally stop the blender to scrap the sides using a rubber spatula.

FINAL

Cook tagliatelle in a large saucepan of salted, boiling water until al dente and drain well. Toss the cooked pasta in a bowl with the desired amount of the basil garlic pesto. Taste and season again, if necessary. Serve with herbed focaccia bread.

Spontaneity in the kitchen is the one true element that makes getting together with friends or loved one so much more pleasurable and exciting. Having folks over for a fondue night is the perfect way to spend time together and enjoy an easy, fun meal.

With a cheese fondue, ask guests to bring delicious dipping foods, as the options are endless. Sweet and crispy slices of apples or seedless are great accompaniments. If you prefer something savoury, try broccoli florets, roasted mushrooms or cherry tomatoes. Fresh bread is also a wonderful choice. I picked up some Pulla, a mildly sweet Finnish bread from Bread & Butter – a local bakery in Kingston along with cured meats from a local Polish deli.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 Cup (150 grams) of Gruyère Cheese - cubed

1 1/2 Cup (150 grams) of Emmenthaler Cheese - cubed

1/2 Garlic Clove

3/4 Cup of White Wine

2 Tablespoon of Flour

Pepper to taste

Nutmeg to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Coat the cheese with the flour. Set aside.

2. Rub the inside of the fondue pot with garlic - discard remaining garlic.

3. Pour white wine into the fondue pot. Cook on medium heat until it simmers - do not boil.

4. Gradually add pre-floured cheese and mix until texture is smooth. Season to taste with pepper and nutmeg.

5. With a wooden spoon, mix well and stir regularly.

6. Remove from heat and place on the fondue heater.

7. Enjoy dipping your favorite breads, cured or cooked meats, vegetables and fruits.

FINAL

The fondue becomes too thick? Add a little wine.

The fondue is too liquid? Add cornstarch mixed in the wine.

Preparation: 5 min

Cooking time: 10 minutes

The weekend of December 20 & 21, the Rogers Hometown Hockey tour stopped in the city of Kingston, Ontario for a fun packed outdoor hockey festival filled with free activities for all ages. This was a national campaign from Scotiabank proposing that Canada actually has five seasons – spring, summer, winter, fall and hockey season.

Fun right?! Oui oui!


Home to NHL Alumni Doug Gilmour - this was an event not to be missed as great prizes and giveaways were won from Xbox, Samsung, McDonald’s and the Toronto Maple Leafs, local bands were enjoyed and hockey fun was had all around.

With 25 different communities to be visited across Canada, the city of Kingston was joined by Sportsnet Central hosts Ken Reid and Evanka Osmak, NHL Alumni Doug Gilmour and Wendel Clark for autograph sessions, and of course Don Cherry. The highlight of the event was an outdoor viewing party watching Ron MacLean host a live broadcast of the Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks NHL game from the Sportsnet Mobile Studio on Sunday night.

Perfect for families, couples and children - be sure to visit your local Rogers Hometown Hockey community event!

Day 1: