Happy Wednesday! We are in the middle of the first full week of August. At the moment, I’m on vacation with my family, it’s a well-deserved break for all of us and we are making some quality memories together. I’ll be sharing more of my trip in the coming weeks, but until then, I have another travel post to tide you over. One that I couldn’t wait to share with you all!
Several weeks ago, my boyfriend and I took another one of our crazy day trips. My boyfriend is a great trip planner, especially ones that are affordable and unique too. We also like to do our trips in a day, even if it means being up for more than 24 hours.
Last summer, we did NYC in 13 hours, you can read about it here. We also did Toronto in a day, which you can read about here.
This summer, we did Montreal in a day! It was one of our furthest destinations, but we packed a lot in, and I fell in love with the city and the culture.
Here’s a recap of our trip.
We left in the evening and drove to Burlington, Canada where we caught a train into Toronto. The car ride was about 2.5 hours and then the train was about an hour. After making our way to Toronto, we hopped on an overnight bus into Montreal.
Arriving at the border
Arriving in the bus station the next day
We arrived bright and early before 6:00 in the downtown area, since most of the city was still asleep, we freshened up and dropped off our bags. My boyfriend discovered a gym that you can store your bags for the day, this was a huge help to us. We could still pack what we needed for our travels without having to worry about carrying them during the day.
After getting ready, we started exploring the downtown, metropolitan area and then ventured into the Old Port and historic Montreal.
This was one of my favorite parts of the day. The sun was rising, the city was quiet, and we could just take in the city.
We got breakfast at a little bakery and ate in the town square.
Between the French signs, old architecture and French being the most common language spoken there, I truly felt like I was in a different world, and I loved it.
We walked down by the pier and then made our way back to the old part of the town to tour the Notre Dame Basilica.
More views from our walk
It was a gorgeous church filled with vibrant colors and details. We went when they first opened so there were no lines.
After our tour, we made our way towards the downtown area where we climbed up Mount Royal.
A look at what we had to climb
We walked everywhere through the day, so we definitely got our steps in. The hill was daunting and climbing up flights of steps was challenging at points, but the view was worth it.
The view from the top
We could see the entire city from the top. It was breathtaking, especially in the sunshine.
After enjoying the view, we made our way to a park in Mount Royal where we rented a rowboat and enjoyed some time on the water. It was picturesque and VERY dreamy. I felt like I had my own “Notebook” worthy moment.
Such a beautiful park!
We spent some more time in the park and then made our way down the steps and hill, the walk down was much easier.
The homes were gorgeous!
We stopped for lunch at a little shop and enjoyed our food in a nearby park.
Lunch in a park
We walked back down to the water and enjoyed some more time in the city.
A look at the city from the water.
We also popped into a few shops, bought some souvenirs, and enjoyed some music in a town square too.
All the shops were so cute and quaint!
We grabbed our bags and then made our way back to the bus station where we began our journey home.
Back at the station
Here’s a look at our final stats of the day when it comes to the mileage.
There were some delays for the return trip, but that was all a part of the adventure. We got back very early in the morning and took the day to catch up on sleep and get our lives back in order.
Although there was a lot of travel involved and many different modes of transportation, it was so worth it. My boyfriend and I love exploring new places and traveling, especially on a budget. He does an incredible job at planning and truly thinks of everything. I’m not sure where our next adventure will be, but I’m sure it will be a whirlwind.
Until next time, Montreal!
Tell me: where are some of your favorite places to travel to? Bonus points if they can be done in a day! Although, I will be still away, I will have a Friday Favorites post for you! I hope you are having a great week! See you back here on Friday! Happy August!
Happy Wednesday! As much as I hate to say it, we are at the end of July, I have had such a good and fulfilling summer.
Although, I know we still have plenty of summer and nice weather ahead, the end of July always makes me a bit sad since I know it will soon be back to school and back indoors and one of my favorite seasons is coming to an end.
Today, I am focusing on the positives and everything I accomplished over the past month. July was BUSY between entertaining, crossing off big goals, seeing friends, and day trips. In case you missed it, here’s what I have been up to.
What I’ve Been Up To:
I have been trying my best to enjoy as much time outside as possible, from reading by the pool, to eating outdoors, catching up on work outside, even folding laundry in the sun.
It’s been a beautiful month!
Speaking of eating outdoors, I have done my best to cook as much as possible outside and that means lots of grilling.
I’ve done some grilling myself, but I’ve enjoyed when other people do the grilling for me.
The before
The finished product
The month began with the Fourth of July which included lots of food, family, friends, and fireworks!
Plus, plenty of leftovers that we enjoyed all weekend long.
I then went to a wedding in Cleveland which was a fun afternoon and a great time to celebrate great people and love!
I enjoyed summer fun like by mini golfing!
Soaking up summer fun like by mini golfing!
I’ve enjoyed live music by the water
Plus some festivals and fairs too!
What I’m Wearing:
Short sets have been my go-to. These polka dotted shorts from Marshall’s were a hit for the Fourth of July.
For a more casual look, I love these white, cotton shorts from Old Navy.
Florals are in this summer and I love a bold print. This was the dress I wore to the wedding at the beginning of the month from Ann Taylor. It would be perfect for weddings, showers, or a fancy date night.
I will be sharing more about this outfit as part of Friday Favorites. I got both the top and shorts from Marshall’s and were pleased with both.
A skirt and top combo for a dinner out!
What I’m Reading:
This month had some ups and downs in terms of reading. I read some great books and others fell flat.
Funny Story– Funny Story by Emily Henry was a win for me. I love Henry and have read all her books, and this one did not disappoint. It’s all about a girl who gets dumped by her fiancé for his oldest friend. She ends up moving in with oldest friend’s ex, temporarily. They end up becoming friends as he shows her around the town and community before the wedding. They decide to face the music and go to their ex’s wedding together, how about that for a plot twist?!
Mostly What God Does– Mostly What God Does by Savannah Guthrie was such a good daily read. It’s a series of essays about faith, God, his love, and life. You can read it all at once, but I chose to read an essay/passage a night. It took me a while to finish it, but I’m glad it gave me time to really appreciate the readings. I really love how Guthrie has the book laid out. It gives readers a chance to really focus on the material and then digest it.
Just the Nicest Couple– Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica is all about a man who goes missing and one of the last people to see him alive is his wife’s best friend. Did she have something to do with it or is she being framed? These two couples who you think may be friends, may not be as close as they seem. There were some great twists, turns and plot points.
A Court of Thorns and Roses– Sarah Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses was a fantasy first for me. I have heard so many rave reviews about this book and I thought it was good, but not great. It’s all about a medieval land where a faerie is forced to live with a beast after she allegedly killed one of his people. She is treated like an outsider at first, but eventually grows to love her new world, until she is forced to leave. She then must decide if she wants to return again. The description of the land and the characters is very well done, but I think the different genre is what caused me to have a hard time getting into it. I may continue to read some of her other books in the series but decided to take a pause for another book genre. The book was good, but I don’t know if fantasy is for me.
Chasing Harry Winston– I picked up Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberg at a book sale and was interested in the plot about three young women in New York City who are all searching for new relationships. It’s a story about love, growth, taking chances, but most importantly, friendship. I thought the book was good, but not great.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper– This was the second book I read by Phaedra Patrick. The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper follows a widowed man who discovers a charm bracelet from his late wife which takes him on a journey about the life she had before him. He travels to India, London, Paris as he learns about each of the charms and the story behind them. This was such a quaint novel and I loved learning about all the adventures his wife went on.
Emergency Contact– This was the first book I have read by Lauren Layne and Anthony LeDonne. Emergency Contact is about a woman who gets in an accident and when they call her emergency contact it turns out to be her ex-husband. This story follows the two reconnecting and being forced to spend the holidays together in an effort to get home. I loved all the obstacles the characters had to overcome and the ending was perfect! 5 stars from me!
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird- Josie Silver’s The Two Lives of Lydia Bird tells the story of a young woman who loses her fiance and has to cope with life without him. However, when she sleeps, she finds herself in a world where he is still alive. She must decide what life she wants to live in. This is the second book I have read by Josie Silver and I loved it!
The Blue Bistro– I have been on an Elin Hilderbrand kick and the The Blue Bistro was my latest read. I loved everything about this book, from the setting, Nantucket references, the characters and storyline. My favorite part was the description of the food! Everything sounded so delicious. The story follows a young woman who takes a job at a restaurant in Nantucket for its final summer being open. It’s all about the challenges she has to overcome and the lessons she learns and the people she meets along the way. Such a good story!
What I’m Watching:
I haven’t been watching too much tv, which is typically the norm in the summertime. I like to be outside as much as possible. But I have watched a few movies which I enjoyed.
A Simple Favor– I know it’s a movie that has been out for a few years, but I finally got around to watching A Simple Favor. It stars Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick who become friends until Lively’s character goes missing. Where and why did she disappear and what secrets does she have hidden? I really enjoyed the movie, especially with the unexpected plot points.
I Am Celine– I have enjoyed Celine Dion’s music and was sad to learn when she announced her illness last year. Her new documentary “I Am Celine” is now on Amazon Prime. I really loved getting a behind the scenes look at her life before and after her illness. I also loved hearing some of her iconic songs throughout the documentary. Definitely worth the watch if you are a Celine fan.
We also have been watching the Olympics! From the opening ceremonies to the primetime events, it’s been such a fun nightly watch!
What I’m Cooking:
It’s been a great month of cooking.
Strawberry Chicken Salad- I got this recipe from Celebrate with Babs’ cookbook. It was a hit with grilled chicken and I added some extra fruit to garnish and that seemed to go over well.
Strawberry Salad with Grilled Chicken
Cocoa Oatmeal Treats– I found this recipe from Hershey’s and even though they aren’t the healthiest with chocolate and peanut butter, they were tasty and easy to make.
Texas Caviar– I made this salad for our Fourth of July party and really enjoyed how it turned out. You can eat it with chips or just on its own.
Lemon Blueberry Muffins– I loved citrus and fresh fruit in the summer. On a rainy day, I decided to do some baking with my blueberries from my picking and these lemon blueberry muffins were a hit!
Pineapple Chicken with Caprese Orzo and Corn- These were two recipes I found on Pinterest and loved to try. They can be eaten by themselves or together for a filling meal with lots of flavor!
Peach Caprese Salad– This was such an easy side dish. We ate it with chicken, but you can eat it on its own. I loved the flavor of the sweetness of the peaches mixed with veggies and cheese. I got it from my Magnolia cookbook by Joanna Gaines.
Shrimp Tacos and Homemade Coleslaw– I found this recipe from Jessie James Decker’s cookbook and it was a hit. I love seafood and the slaw was so easy to make too! A great summer meal!
Peanut butter Chocolate Chip Cookies– I was craving something sweet and these hit the spot. I love anything peanut butter and chocolate and this was such an easy recipe that I found on Pinterest!
What Inspires Me: I have been spending so much time outside, whether it’s going for walks, cutting fresh flowers, or eating meals. I love seeing everything in full bloom.
Fresh cut flowers make everything better
Here’s some quotes that have been both inspiring and left me smiling too!
I saw this quote on instagram and it really resonated with me.
What I Accomplished: I have been checking so many things off my summer bucket list and while I’m glad I’m accomplishing a lot, it makes me sad that summer is coming to an end.
Great way to start the day
Some highlights of my summer bucket list from this past month include running my first 10 K and hitting a new personal record.
I started the day by doing my first 10K and setting a new PR!
I also enjoyed fruit picking from cherries to blueberries.
My garden is coming along nicely too.
Plus I enjoyed lots of summer walks to new places and old and at all hours of the day.
Walks at old places
And new!
I also got in some zoo trips too! This is one of my favorite summer activities!
Local zoos!
And out of town zoo trips!
It was a beautiful day!
Goals from Last Month:
I accomplished a lot from celebrating the Fourth of July, heading to a friend’s wedding and seeing and catching up with friends whether it be through calls, facetime or in person.
I also got away for a day-trip to Canada. I packed a lot in and will be sharing more next week in a whole post!
Goals for this Month: I am looking forward to but also dreading August. I have a lot of fun things planned like a family vacation, but also I’m not looking forward to everyone moving out and going back to school. It will be a month of change and transition, that I’m not particularly looking forward to, but know it will be a month of growth.
Going on walks always give me peace of mind in life’s chaotic moments.
That’s a look into life lately, great strides in my summer adventures and lots of memories being made.
Hello all! Happy Christmas week! I hope you had a wonderful day with loved ones and lasting memories.
A look at my tree on Christmas Day.
It’s the end of the 2023, this year flew by. I feel like just yesterday I was setting goals and resolutions for the next 12 months and here we are almost 365 days later with most of them accomplished.
Going into 2023, I anticipated it to be a year of change and new beginnings and while there was change and I tried new hobbies and went to different places, this year was filled with lots of routine and structure which I love and crave.
Over the past twelve months, I have kept in touch with friends from out of town and made it a point to touch base with them either in-person or via facetime. I traveled a lot this year by taking day trips or longer vacations with my family. I continued to grow in my profession by working on different long-form projects and challenging myself each day. The biggest things that stand out to me from this past year would be my newfound love of trying different hobbies.
What a year for 2023!
Let’s take it back to January for a recap of this year before we get into my favorites of 2023:
The year began with lots of cozy days indoors and lots of cooking, I tried lots of new recipes this year from soups, to pizzas, and baked goods.
A new recipe, Shrimp Avocado Medicine Soup
Fresh cookies too
Even though it was cold outside, I bunded up and took winter walks to some of my favorite spots, as much as I love the hygge vibes of being inside, there’s nothing quite like getting fresh air and exercise.
Winter walks in the snow
February brought a day trip to Cleveland for a day at the Art Museum and dinner and a show.
A show in the city at night!
The second month of the year brought Valentine’s Day and the first of many uses of my Kitchen Aid.
First time using my kitchen aid
The Kitchen Aid made baking them so much easier!
March was a continuation of testing out new recipes and getting outdoors more as the temperatures began to rise.
First Zoo trip of the year
Spring finally made an appearance in April with Easter, family time and the start of sunshine.
First of spring walks
Our favorite Easter dessert-our bunny cake!
April also brought the start of my running journey.
Picnic season was back in May and I celebrated my 25th birthday.
Picnic season
Celebrating 25!
I tried to spend as much time outside in the summer. This summer I began to grow my first garden which saw success for its first season. I also began running consistently in preparation for my first 5K.
Runs at the beach!
June was a month of travel with day trips to Columbus and NYC for a day, which you can read about here.
The sights and sounds of NYC
I also got a chance to visit family in New Jersey which was well overdue.
The beauty of the beach!
July began with the Fourth of July included lots of running, checking on my garden, walks, and reading poolside.
Our Fourth of July spread
My first set of veggies! Peas!
Reading by the pool days
More running
August began fast and furious with my first 5K, then it was off to a day trip to Toronto.
Finishing my first 5K!
The iconic Toronto sign
My family and I got away for a few days to San Diego which was great to have quality time together and go to new places.
Hello San Diego!
Summer wrapped up with bonfires, ice cream and more success of my garden.
Summer S’mores!
Soaking up summer with every last ice cream!
The fruits of my labor
The fall was a time of savoring the outdoors as much as I could and seeing the seasons change.
Hello fall walks!
As it got colder and I stayed indoors more, that meant more time in the kitchen by trying new recipes for baked goods and dinners.
Back in the kitchen
November and December brought me my first Turkey Trot followed by Thanksgiving and getting into the Christmas spirit and celebrating all month long.
Turkey trotting!
Our Thanksgiving Dinner at home
All is calm, all is bright.
A very Christmas spread
This past year brought lots of favorites too.
Here’s some of my all-time favorite things from 2023:
Favorite Book:Spare-I know it was a controversial book, but I found it fascinating to read all about Prince Harry and his life from his perspective. I also have been a fan of the Royal family for years, so his autobiography was very eye-opening. Plus the timing between the death of the Queen in 2022, Charles’ Coronation in May and final season of the Crown makes his story even more prevalent.
Favorite T.V. Show– The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ended this year, I really loved following this show from the beginning and thought the ending was so fitting and fulfilling. A close runner-up would be Ted Lasso, another favorite from this year
Favorite Movie– Barbie– This should be no surprise but I really enjoyed the Barbie movie this year. Although, I’m not a Barbie super fan, I thought it was very well done and had a great message.
Favorite Fashion Item– Tennis dress from Amazon– I wore this so many times this summer. It was so easy to throw on during a hot day or after work. It was fashionable and affordable and I loved the color, perfect for summer!
Favorite New Podcast– The Lazy Genius– I was introduced to this podcast and find it so helpful when it comes to life hacks and ways to streamline things in your life. Although, my all-time favorite podcast is the Simplified podcast.
Favorite New Hobby– My favorite new hobby from this year has been running. I never thought I would be a runner and love it as much as I do, but here we are. You can read about my running journey here.
Favorite Trip- Doing New York City in a day was exhausting but so worth it and I made so many memories with my family when we went to San Diego.
Memories from family trips!
This year was so full with new adventures, building relationships, growing in my profession, spending time with loved ones and trying new hobbies. The best way I can describe this year is by feeling fulfilled.
Here’s a look at the resolutions I set out to accomplish this year. My top goals were to Eat healthier and run a 5K (which I accomplished big time), I wanted to take advantage of local spots and park (which I did a great job especially in the spring and summertime), Plan to do more things on days off (I accomplished this by doing day trips and making the most of my vacation days), and lastly, I wanted to continue to grow more in my profession (I achieved this goal by tackling different work projects and tasks).
I’m proud of myself of how I have grown and evolved this past year and I’m excited to see where 2024 takes me.
Cheers to closing the chapter of 2023 and starting fresh for 2024.
Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week! Remember how I felt like July went by in a blink of an eye? Well August went by even faster. This month has been a whirlwind between traveling, big work projects, back to school, and wrapping up summer fun!
As one month end and another one begins, I’m recapping this past month and all the memories and adventures that came with it.
Here’s a look at this month’s Currently.
What I’m Up To: This past month has been all about soaking up the final days of summer, from hiking in new places, completing bucket list items, and traveling to new places, I have been busy but in the best way possible.
It’s local festival season!
And local farm show season!
Plus, no summer event isn’t complete without a funnel cake!
I’ve attended community fairs and festivals, been spending lots of time outside and have been reading lots of fun, summer books.
My trip to Toronto was a highlight for sure!
What I’m Wearing: I have been continuing the trend of shorts and graphic tees.When my family and I went on vacation to San Diego, California, I wore a lot of neutrals to mix and match and keep it simple for travel. Here’s some of my favorite summer outfits. My shorts are from Old Navy and so are some of my shirts too.
A few of my looks from vacation.
Lots of color coordinated outfits.
And some bright colors too!
I have also been doing my best to wear all the bright colors for my dresses for work. I only have a small window to wear in the warm months, so I’m doing my best to wear them all.
Bright blue for work!
What I’m Reading: This past month has been such a good month for reading for me
Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch follows the story of a young girl who loses her mom and her mom’s dying wish is for her daughter to go to Florence and reconnect with people from her mother’s time when she lived there. This book checks all the boxes for a cute rom com book. Dreamy city, beautiful description, incredible Italian food and desserts, and a little romance too. I blitzed through this book and was so sad when it came to an end.
The sweetest summer book!
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune tells the story a young woman who takes over her mother’s resort on the lake. She plans on making some changes when she gets some unexpected help from someone from her past that she always wanted to forgot. I really enjoyed the story and finished it within a week. I’m also excited that it’s going to be making its way to the screen as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be working with Netflix to turn it into a movie.
Better than Fiction by Alexa Martin and it combined two of my favorite hobbies, reading and hiking! This book follows the story of a young woman who inherits her grandmother’s book store. As she tries to manage this new project, enter a fan-favorite author. He’s visiting her small town for inspiration for his new book and they make a deal. She shows him around the area and he teaches her how to love books.
Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler follows the story of a young woman who makes it her mission to deliver her neighbor turned best friend’s ashes to her long lost lover. However, the journey to get the ashes delivered does not go smooth. She ends up traveling with someone from her past and they endure all sorts of detours. The book goes back and forth between the past and present and there’s so many twists and turns, you will question if they will ever make it to their final destination.
What I’m Watching: As summer winds down, I’m finishing up my summer shows. I finished season two of the Summer I Turned Pretty. Overall, I thought the season was pretty good. I definitely enjoyed the first season more but I thought the second season had some great storylines and the finale left a lot of questions for season 3! If you watched, what did you think of the finale and Belly’s choice?
I also finished the first part of Outlander. This was another show that had a lot of ups and downs this season. There were some major plot twists with characters that I did not see coming. I’m anxious to see where it picks up and how things get wrapped up when it returns.
I also finished season two of “And Just Like That”, it was such a good season. I loved the callbacks to earlier seasons of the show, the fashion and the friendships. The finale was really good, especially with the surprise appearance by Samantha! I was also excited to see that the show was renewed for season 3! I already can’t wait for next season!
And last but not least, I finished the new season of Sweet Magnolias. Although, there was some drama this season including some fights, fallouts and relationship shakeups between characters, I really enjoyed seeing the characters come together in the end.
What Inspires Me: I have been enjoying all the summer salads with fresh fruits and vegetables. I hate wasting food, so I have been enjoying salads and bowls with lots of food that I already have in the fridge. Here’s been some of my favorite salads.
A spinach and strawberry and pecan salad. This is the perfect blend of fruits, veggies and some crunch too.
Strawberry and spinach salad
A steak salad on top a bed of veggies keeps you full and gives you lots of flavor.
A steak salad
A peach and chicken salad
Speaking of fresh vegetables, I have been so inspired and proud of my garden. Although, I have lost some plants, I’m so happy with the ones that have grown and flourished. I’ll be doing a bigger blog post on this later in the season, but seeing seeds turn into bright, red tomatoes is certainly inspiring.
My baby tomatoes
The fruits of my labor
Four fresh tomatoes
What I Accomplished: August was a busy month. I kicked it off by attending our local National Night Out.
My boyfriend and I did a day trip to Toronto, you can read about our adventure here.
The iconic Toronto sign
My boyfriend and I also went blueberry picking for the first time which was so much fun and I made some tasty muffins too!
Our haul
The best way to use blueberries!
Soaking up the end of summer with nighttime concerts.
Summer S’mores!
My family and I took our family vacation to San Diego which was so fun! We packed a lot in and made a ton of memories. It was the best way to spend time together before we all went our separate ways from school to work.
From the palm trees
The hikes and ocean
Enjoying some iconic West Coast food.
The San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park
Goals from Last Month: I accomplished my goal of running my first 5K, you can read about my journey here.
Finishing my first 5K!
I accomplished almost everything from my summer bucket list. There were a few things that I didn’t get done, but I plan to do them in the fall.
The best part of this past month was all the family time. The older I get, the more, I realize how important family time is and how much I try to treasure every moment I have with my family and siblings. This summer has been so special that we have all been home under one roof.
End of summer Lobster rolls!
Goals for Next Month: Even though it’s September, I still plan on enjoying the warm weather and soaking up the sunshine. I’m not ready to think about fall yet, but I know I will have to eventually, right now, I’m all about savoring every last bit of summer. I will also be sharing my fall bucket next week!
Enjoying evening walks after work can continue in the fall.
There you have it, another Currently in the books. Tell me, what were some of your favorite parts of August?
Let me know in the comments below! Have a great rest of your week and end of August! See you back here on Friday!
Happy Wednesday! I hope you had a great week so far! We are halfway to the weekend and I couldn’t be more ready for it.
I love to travel and visit new places, whether they are cities, state parks or the suburbs! This summer I have done a lot more traveling than in year’s past, mostly due to Covid. It’s been fun to return to old places or go someplace new. My boyfriend and I love taking day trips together, since our work schedules don’t line up whenever we take a day off for one another we try to really capitalize on it. So far this summer we have gone to Columbus, New York City and Toronto and the Canadian Falls to name a few spots.
Our trip to Canada was our most recent trip at the beginning of August. We had such a good time and packed a lot in. Here’s what we did and how we did Canada in a day!
We left around 4:30 and made our way up north. We drove to Burlington, Canada and from there took a train into the city of Toronto.
Making our way across the border
We arrived around 8:30 to Union Station with all the commuters for the day.
Union Station
Our first stop was Tim Hortons for some fuel, even through we have them at home, we knew we had to take advantage of the Canadian staple.
Fuel for the day!
The city in the morning!
We walked around downtown for a bit and checked out some of the tourist spots, like the CN Tower and the big Toronto sign and then City Hall. We also saw the Rogers Arena where the Maple Leafs play!
The CN Tower
The iconic Toronto sign
City Hall behind the sign
Home of the Maple Leafs
After taking in the downtown we took a ferry to Centre Island which was so fun! From the boat, you got a whole new perspective of the city and it was beautiful to be out on the water.
The city from the ferry
On the ferry!
On the island, there are trails to walk and bike, a beach, lots of food stands, a little amusement park and lots of green space along with boating clubs.
There were so many green spaces
A look at the amusement park
We walked around by the piers and rented bikes as we took in the island, we could have stayed there all day!
It was beautiful on the island
In the future we want to go back with picnic and spend more time there. It was beautiful!
The ferry coming back to the island (my boyfriend snapped this photo)
We took the ferry back and then made our way to St. Lawrence Market for lunch.
A look inside St. Lawrence’s Market
There were dozens of different vendors , from fresh produce, to breads, meats, fish, vegetables, bakery items, and speciality goods. We both settled on sandwiches for lunch.
Lunch time!
After our meals, we decided to take the train back to our car in Burlington and then head to Niagara Falls. We have both been to the American falls, but this was our first time heading to the Canadian falls together.
The falls!
If you have never been before, the Canadian falls is very touristy, lots of gift shops, fast food places, amusement park rides and very Americanized. We found it to be a little overwhelming, so we quickly made our way past the chaos and just enjoyed the falls.
America or Canada? It was hard to tell with all the American chains.
We decided not to purchase tickets to any boats or activities since we arrived late in the day and just decided to take in the falls.
Up close of the rushing waters
The falls-both of them!
It was beautiful to see both the American and Canadian falls next to each other. After seeing them from many different spots and taking lots of photos, we decided to call it a day and make our way back home.
A rainbow to end the day!
It was a packed full day and we were tired.
We had such a great time that we have already begun to talk about what we want to do the next time we go.
Goodbye falls!
Tell me, have you enjoyed any trips this summer and have you been to Toronto or Canada, if so, what are your must do’s?
Let me know in the comments below!
See you back here on Friday for another edition of Friday Favorites!
Hi friends! Happy Last Day of May! This has been a packed month and I swear it flew by in the blink of an eye. I hope you had a fun and relaxing Memorial Day weekend and enjoyed the unofficial kickoff to summer.
A snapshot of our Memorial Day spread!
I had a busy weekend between celebrating the holiday, working and then celebrating my 25th birthday. It was packed full, but oh so fun!
Celebrating 25!
With my pup too!
Now, that I have got you all caught up on this weekend, as another month comes to a close, it’s time to recap this month with a new edition of Currently. Here’s what I’ve been reading, watching, and doing.
What I’ve Been Up To: May was a busy work month between traveling to Canada for a day trip to preview the Coronation of King Charles III, which you can read about here, Primary Night in Pennsylvania and kicking off summer events.
Day trip to Niagara on the Lake!
Primary night in PA!
On weekends, I have been savoring the warm weather by spending as much time outside by taking walks or runs and making a point to get outdoors.
First sunset of summer!
From doing work outside to taking walks after work or on days off, I even have been making it a point to catch up with friends over the phone or in person over a walk. Spring and summer means eating meals outdoors, I always try my best to spend some time outside every day.
Enjoying a Saturday morning walk and coffee!
I also got to enjoy my first sunset and grilling of the season at the beach. It was a beautiful night to sit on the beach and grill! Looking forward to many more nights this like this through the summer.
First sunset and picnic on the beach
What I’m Wearing: On cooler days, I have been enjoying wearing cuffed jeans and graphic t-shirts and sneakers. I even have gotten to break out the shorts a few times this month too which is a huge win! I can’t wait for shorts season all the time come next month.
A weekend look, cuffed jeans for the win!
I also got a few new closet staples from J.Crew and Ann Taylor which I will be sharing soon. I have been looking for bright colors to wear in the warmer months. I got this bright, yellow dress from a friend from The Limited and it’s perfect for Spring and Summer. I love the color and the style, it would be great for a summer wedding, Sunday Church service or work.
Bright and cheery for spring!
Speaking of weddings, I went to a family wedding a few weeks back and wore this dress. Although, it’s navy blue, I dressed it up with gold accents.
A classic wedding look.
What I’m Reading: The end of April and start of May was a big reading month for me. Here are some of my favorites.
I read the sequel to “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover. You do have to read It Ends With Us, before you read “It Starts With Us“, but I don’t think it’s necessary to read the sequel. It was definitely lighter than the first book and it was interesting to see how some of the relationships progressed and changed, but I don’t think you have to read the sequel.
“After I Do” follows the story of a young couple who after being married for several years goes through a rough patch and agrees to take some time apart. The book follows what happens when they separate and if they decide if they are better together or apart.
“Forever Interrupted” tells the story of a newlywed couple who are on Cloud 9 in marital bliss, until the husband is tragically killed just a week after they say, “I do”. The book goes back and forth between the grieving widow trying to move on and the start of the couple’s relationship. I really enjoyed the two perspectives it was told from and how the two storylines eventually get tied together.
The final Taylor Jenkins Reid book I read was “Maybe in Another Life”. This book follows the story of Hannah who moves back to California and when out with friends, she has to decide if she wants to go home with her ex-boyfriend or her best friend. The story goes back and forth between both decisions, if she plays it safe or makes a bold decision. I really enjoyed seeing both lives and perspectives.
The last book I read was “The Dinner List” by Rebecca Serle, it’s all about a woman who shows up to her birthday dinner with five people from her life. Through the course of the dinner, the purpose of each guest is revealed, and our heroine learns the importance of letting go, moving on, and growing from this special birthday dinner.
What I’m Watching: This past month, I wrapped up a lot of series. I finished The Mindy Project which was so good. I loved the casting, storylines and one-liners and truly didn’t want it to end, however, I was satisfied with the ending.
I also finished The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which I loved from the get-go. I thought this season did a great job at wrapping things up and giving glimpses into the future of what happens with fan-favorite characters. I am going to miss the cast, the comedy and of course, the clothes! This article gave a great recap!
If you watched the show, what did you think of the final season and ending?
I also talked about Jury Duty a few weeks ago. You can find it on Amazon Prime and it was the perfect show to watch for a comedy filled 30 minutes. I thought the show was well done with the creative story of a group of people sitting in on a court case that’s being filmed for a tv show. The catch is, they are all in on it except for one jurors. It was such a fun show to binge watch.
I also finished The Diplomat which stars Keri Russell on Netflix. It’s all about a woman who becomes the new Ambassador in the United States. It’s a mix of politics, drama, intrigue and some romance too! I give it 5 stars! I’m already looking forward to the new season.
What Inspires Me: Spring and summer mean all the salads! I have been on a kick of making chefs salads. They are so easy to assemble and great to use what you have in your fridge. I often throw in any leftover vegetables I have plus any cheese or sliced meats or even fruit. I love that you can use what you have and get a hearty meal out of it too.
Besides making chef salads, I have also enjoyed making flatbread pizzas this summer and trying different combinations.
Plus in honor of Cinco de Mayo, I made chicken tacos! Yum!
Lastly, I have been inspired by picnics. There’s nothing better than enjoying a picnic after a nice long walk. I enjoy a classic sandwich and chips and fruit for a picnic, but love to switch it up with grilling too.
Summer picnics are back!
What I Accomplished: I’ve been really enjoying time outside, time spent with family and starting summer traditions and fun! If this month is any indication at how summer will look, we are in for a good summer!
Summer appetizers are back!
Bring on the fresh salads.
Goals from Last Month: This past month has been busy as I celebrated my 25th birthday, I accomplished a lot of things on my summer bucket list and I made lots of memories through the spring and did some things for the first time too, like being to a new part of Canada.
Day trips to the zoo are back!
The best part of family weddings-cookies!
And some sweet gifts too!
Goals for this Month: My only goal for next month is to kick off summer and begin my summer bucket list! I am already working on it and can’t wait to share it with you next week!
Whew, that was a lot! May has packed full in the best way. I can’t wait to see what June has to offer! I can’t wait to welcome a new month and summer! See you back here in JUNE!
Happy Hump Day! We made it halfway through the week. I hope your week has been smooth sailing, but if not, I hope the wind moves you in the right direction as we wrap up the week.
These past few weeks have been busy, but in the best way, so I haven’t had a chance to chat about a recent trip I went on for work. I got to cross off something from my bucket list which was huge win and very exciting!
Charles the III was crowned King on May 6 and leading up to the Coronation, a close co-worker and I were tasked with getting the pulse of how Canadians felt about the new monarch and any festivities they had planned for the big day for a series of stories for Coronation Day.
After coming up with a game plan and setting up interviews, we made our way to Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, which was just over a two-hour drive. It was my first-time visiting Niagara on the Lake, so I was excited to visit a new place and do a series of stories on a topic I have a lot of interest in.
Passport ready to go!
We had no problem getting through the border and once we were in, we hit the ground running. Between the two of us, we had five interviews to conduct. My co-worker focused more on taking the pulse of Canadians and I focused on the event and activities surrounding the Coronation in Niagara on the Lake.
The town itself was so charming. I loved seeing all the shops and popping into a few of them myself.
We went into one store that had lots of Coronation merchandise, I ended up picking a gold King Charles III spoon for myself as a souvenir.
Some of the Coronation gear you could buy!
And some British candy!
There were different restaurants, cafes and bakeries on every corner. You felt like you were in a Hallmark movie and while we were there, I learned some Hallmark movies have been filmed there.
The tulips were just starting to bloom and I’m sure in a few weeks, the streets will be covered in them.
Niagara on the Lake is also known for their wineries and Bed and Breakfasts, which we passed as we were making our way from stop to stop.
Another thing I loved about the town was how close in distance everything was to each other. Driving from one edge of town to the other took a few minutes and there was lots of sidewalks if you were looking to just walk from your hotel or BnB to a restaurant or shop.
Parks were all around and we were steps away from the lake.
My story took us to the Prince of Wales Hotel where Queen Elizabeth II stayed when she visited Niagara on the Lake in the 1970’s. It was a beautiful hotel with lots of history.
We grabbed lunch at Treadwell, which was a farm to table restaurant. I got a salad that was the perfect mix of fresh and tangy.
This salad was so good!
We popped into a few shops on our way out of town, like this linen store. I wish I had time to check out all the different storefronts.
One of the shops we popped into.
And just like that we were back on our way to the U.S.A. and we passed the falls on our way out.
The American and Canadian Falls!
Although, it was short trip, 12 hours total, we got a lot in and it was quite a success. I can’t wait to return and explore the town more, maybe even see a show or two. I’m so glad I got to go to a new place and experience a new culture. It was so fun to step out of my comfort zone and it definitely gave me the travel bug.
Have you been to Niagara on the Lake? If so, what were your favorite things to do and see? Let me know in the comments below!
See you back here on Friday for another Friday Favorites link-up!
