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!

Kingston has officially become a winter wonderland and from outdoor activities that embrace the snow to those that keep us inside all cozy and warm, there's a slew of fun date ideas just waiting to happen. It's that time of year where holding hands spreads warmth but also love.

While cuddling and Netflix and chill is great, it’s always a great idea to wow your bae every once in a while. Keep things interesting, mix it up a little. And I don’t mean dinner and movie - here's my top 5 picks for you to enjoy this season:

1. Discover Winter's Secrets at Lumina Borealis

Kingston's newest winter attraction is coming to Fort Henry on December 1st - this is your chance to discover winter's secrets through a magical night walk experience. Lumina Borealis is an unforgettable outdoor winter event and the only one of its kind in Ontario. Get ready to enjoy an immersive and interactive event inspired by winter childhood dreams and memories. The perfect date setting - you will be drawn into a colourful and enchanting world.

Get your tickets here.

2. Let's Join The Fun at Cirque du Soleil

3. Warm Up at a Local Coffee Shop

The city of Kingston is filled with culinary gems but we are also blessed with coffee shops that offer life's little pleasures complete with a sense of community. Whether you're a student, tourist or local, Kingston is enjoying a bit of an independent coffee revival that includes new cafes, small-batch roasters and fun artistic baristas. Perfect spot for a date, coffee shops such as Coffeeco or Juniper Cafe provide the ideal ambiance for every personality while also staying warm and lending topics of conversation to save you from awkward silences.

4. Drinks and Mingle

5. Indulge in Dessert for Two

 Bonus: Stroll around Springer Market Square

Talk about romantic - Market Square in downtown Kingston is the perfect postcard setting this holiday season. Sure it’s cold, but bundle up and grab a hot cocoa from Sipps Coffee and Dessert Bar around the corner. Better yet, take your date for a skate under the stars in the Square - one of Kingston's best winter traditions. Or stroll through the neighbourhood admiring local businesses, art galleries and more!

What are some of your favourite winter date ideas?

-xoxo