I Think I Know What's On Your Mind

A quickie post to show you some pics of my new hair and dinner at a local French bistro. I'm having fun playing around with my hair - some days I've slicked it back (think Victoria Beckham), others I've pushed it forwards messily and finished with my favourite surf spray. I've glammed it up with pretty, tulle and pearl adorned handbands, or if I'm feeling a more grungy vibe, I reach for my braided suede headband. There's a style to suit my chameleon moods. NOTE: Please ignore the horribly tacky sign - I didn't realize it was in the picture and we were in a hurry to get inside the restaurant for our table.

I've used a variety of products to style my hair and I've found a few that I like:

1. Best Gel for a slicked back pixie: I tried Bumble and Bumble BB Gel and Oribe Gel Serum (thanks to BeautyMark for giving me both samples) and by far I liked Oribe for a firm hold to last all day but wasn't sticky or too stiff. The BB Gel is nice for light hold but I can't trust it'll stay all day.

2. Best Surf Spray: John Masters Organics Sea Mist hands down gives you that straight-out-of-the-surf look. I prefer it to Bumble and Bumble's Surf Spray which is a bit heavy and sticky. Plus, Sea Mist has a sweet lavender scent so you don't smell like a kelpy seawitch =D.

3. Best Hair Spray: I will go with Bumble and Bumble's Does It All Spray because it provides an airy and flexible hold that highlights the piecey-ness.


Now onto the food...Pied-a-Terre is a fave of mine because of how low-key it is and the food I've had there on numerous occasion has always been good. I just love simple, classic food, and this French bistro has it down.

We started with a French Onion Tarte with Bacon Frisse Salad.

Hubby ordered the Lamb Duo special with braised and roast lamb. Served with green beans and some pastry.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Fish Special which was pan roasted sole with morels and peas in a chive herby cream sauce. Served with asparagus, mashed potatoes and a roasted tomato.

We had no room for dessert but that was probably a good thing because I can never decide between their Creme Brulee, Chocolate Tarte, or Lemon Tarte.

Outfit:
Asymetric White Tee by Ambient (the back is longer than the front and I love it)
Distressed Jean Shorts by Ambient
Grey Coverup - from Gateau Lingerie
Fleur de Lis necklace - Pyrrah
Tulle Headband - Blue Ruby
Sandals - Elizabeth and James
Black Mini Hobo - Hugo Boss
Sunglasses - Rayban Clubmasters

59 Bottles, Bday, and Bikinis

Hello loves! I know it's been a while since I've written. In between watching hockey and planning my Europe trip, I haven't found the time. I really wanted to take some outfit pics over the weekend but the weather wasn't cooperating.

Last week, I came into about 60 bottles of vintage wine. FOR FREE. Someone we knew (immensely wealthy, multimillionaire) just sold his mansion which had a stocked wine cellar. He doesn't actually live here, and he wanted us to get rid of his goods. So away we went and carted out boxes after boxes of wine, some dating back to the mid 80's. I'm not sure how much of it is still "good", since half of it was white wines, but I know there's definitely a bottle or two that might be worth something. I will be documenting my journey through these mystery bottles over at The Unreserved, a wine, foodie, and lifestyle publication and community (I'm one of the editors). So come check it out if you're interested. I should be posting the first bottle over the weekend.

Above: Me marveling at all those cases of wine at a winery in South Africa.

I also had a great bday celebration on the town with my closest besties. We headed to Judas Goat, a small Spanish tapas bar with a great wine list on the recommendations from my friends at Noshwell (review here) and Senses and Style. It didn't disappoint, and we were fully stuffed. I didn't take very good pictures but here's a sampling of what we ate: mini bruschettas (mushrooms and melted cheese, chorizo and onion, roasted pepper), brisket meatballs with tomato sauce, slow cooked sablefish with Israeli couscous, and cured salmon pastrami.

Now something completely off-topic - my new Reef bikinis arrived! Although it hasn't exactly been beach weather here, I can't help but be excited about the two mix-and-match tops and bottoms I got (especially when I could be wearing them in the South of France...).

I got this above top but in dark purple and black so the reef label isn't quite so loud. Then the matching bottoms below but in black. In "cheeky" fit too =D.

I couldn't resist this beautiful multi-coloured triangle top - love the hippie vibe.


The detailed braiding on the sides of this pair was so unique so I picked that up too.

I bought everything from Spyder Surf and they were great about the order. I was a bit apprehensive about ordering swimwear online but everything turned out great! I can't wait to test them out, even if I have to wear them underneath my thick "seal suit" (aka wetsuit) when I'm in Tofino in a couple of weeks.