Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T: February 19-25, 2024

This was the second Saturday morning that we’ve awoken with multiple inches of snow on the ground. It’s been glorious.

Glorious because it’s gorgeous, but also because a clear, sunny, snow-covered ground day is my fave. I doubled my milage on my daily walk absorbing all the vitamin D, and it was just so refreshing.

I love it when nature tells us to pause for a moment and look around. Sometimes we can all use the reminder.

Here’s this week’s Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. for the third week of February.

Reading

A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men (New York Times)

I wish I had an article or book to share this week that was something cozy to match all the winter vibes. Sadly, I don’t, because the piece that stuck with me the most this week was this story about childhood influencing in the New York Times. It’s disturbing on so many levels (why do parents do this? what do men get away with this?) but it really got me thinking about my professional relationship with Instagram and how I use it for my job, and I’m honestly not sure how comfortable I feel about it. This is the Times’ investigative reporting at its best and well worth the read.

Eating

Shamrock Shake (McDonald’s)A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men

of course I had to document it =)

Some say it tastes like soap. Some love the nostalgia of it. On this corner of the internet, we are fully Team Shamrock Shake. I picked one up one of these delectible minty treats this week as a treat for surviving the car dealer, and it tasted just how I wanted to be.

Playing

Classical Motivation Playlist (Apple Music)

If I’m being honest, I spent most of my free time this week finishing off last week’s cdrama rec, Amidst a Snowstorm of Love (it’s coming to Netflix this week!). But when I did need to dial in and focus this week, this Classical Motivation playlist was bomb. It’s momentum is perfect for cranking out a to do list, and it kept my brain firing on all cylinders when I needed it to. Highly recommend.

Obsessing

Canada Connect 4 (Etsy)

Canada Connect 4 from CuttsStudio on Etsy

Etsy has a black hole, I swear. The amount of time I’ve spent going to rabbit holes on the site is embarassing, and quite frankly, way too long. Yes, I do have some bookshelves I need to style. No, I do not need everything on Etsy’s website to do so. But wouldn’t this Canada Connect 4 look awesome on said bookshelf? Maybe next to a vase or in front of print, the options are endless. And with something this whimsical, how could this Canadian not add to cart?

Recommending

Hard Linen Journal (Shinola)

Shinola’s notebooks have become workday essentials for me. I was introduced to the brand when I worked in Detroit, and I’ve become a loyal fan of their products, their story, and their commitment to the Motor City. Its easy to be a fan when they make the best notebooks in the game. They’re not to small and not too large, fabric bound, and their paper is the perfect weight to absorb the gel ink ball point pens. It’s like the first day of school every time I unwrap a new one.

Treating

Boat and Tote Zip-Top, Medium (L.L. Bean)

Medium L.L.Bean Boat and Tote in Natural with Monogram

Blame it on the coupon. Or blame it on Tik Tok. Or frankly, blame it on a really well made product. This week I treated myself to a medium zip-top boat and tote from L.L. Bean and I couldn’t be happier. I purchased the large eons ago, but it’s comically huge for an every tote, so this time around I downsized to a medium with hopes of turning this into my work bag come spring. No surprise I kept to the all natural theme, even springing for the natural-coloured monogram too. Because you can never have too many neutrals.

Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T: February 12-18, 2024

I don’t think modern St. Patrick’s Day decor is a thing.

Or maybe even tasteful St. Patrick’s Day decor? After all, I did find a discoball cup with a shamrock hat on it at Target the other day.

Outside of Halloween and Christmas, is there a way to decorate for holidays without a hint of tacky? Maybe that’s their charm, tbh. After all, it’s more fun to celebrate all the holidays than celebrate the aesthetic ones.

With that, here’s Valentine’s Weeks 2024 Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.

Reading

Would You Spend $860 on These Stretchy Pants? (The Cut)

You know that munching on popcorn meme? That was me this week reading all of the backlash to the High Sport pant think pieces dominating fashion coverage the past two weeks. $860 for a pair of pants? I’m having a hard time spending that on furniture! I love that The Cut highlighted the “newsletter girlies” influence on the notoriety of the pants and that they also called them out for all being size 4’s. Speaking of newletter girlies - I’ve also loved “The Scoop on the High Sport Dupe” from Totally Recommend - even thought we’re nowhere near the same height, I love the detail that she goes into describing all of the different dupes for the $860 pair of pants.

Eating

Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies (Bon Appetit)

Image via Bon Appetit

I think I’ve found my favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Ever. Ever ever. This is the third time I’ve used Marcus Samuelsson’s and Tiana Gee’s Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, and the third time I’ve been blown away by the taste. The keys to these cookies are the bittersweet chocolate, which tones down the sweetness of the sugar, and the white miso paste, which adds this incredible umami flavour to each cookie. They’re ridiculously easy to make too. The recipe yields about 3 dozen cookies.

Playing

Amidst a Snowstorm of Love (Viki)

I’ve found my winter comfort kdrama. Surprisingly this time it’s actually a cdrama, but the vibes are still the same. Amidst a Snowstorm of Love is adorable, is sweet, the characters are full of green flags, and the lead actors have chemistry with a capital C. Even some cringey product placement can’t ruin all the feels of this watch.

Obsessing

Bucket Tote in Bourbon (Kaan)

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I wrote about these bags a couple weeks ago and I’m more obsessed with them now than I was then. It’s all because of their new colour drop, bourbon. It’s the perfect deep brown that goes with everything and a nice break from all the black that I wear. Sadly, it’s already sold out so finger’s crossed it restocks.

Recommending

Threshold™Woven Indoor Outdoor Area Rug Black/Beige (Target)

Sometimes a product is great, but it’s just not great for you. This outdoor rug from Target is one of those products. It’s a beautiful pattern, modern and well made, and the colours are perfect a great mix of beige and black. And for only $144 for an 8x10 it’s a STEAL. Please someone buy this rug, I’m so sad to have returned it. (Turns out my gray stone floor leans brown with this rug on it).

Treating

Hybrid Cocktail Shaker (Elevated Craft)

A snowy Friday night was the perfect night to break out my new cocktail shaker for a much deserved martini. I’ve been stalking this cocktail shaker on Amazon ever since the Cheese Gal recommended it on her TikTok. After a Thanksgiving mishap where my previous shaker froze shut, I was sold on this one’s vacuum seal, and that was before I found out that the lid had liquid measurements in it! Chef’s kiss. I was pleasantly surprised to see Nordstrom carries this shaker, and has it marked down as part of it’s President’s Day sale. You’re welcome.

Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T: February 5-11, 2024

Was it me or were the Grammy’s actually good this year?

I swear, I had this conversation multiple times this past week. Queen Celine (!) made an appearance, Billie and Dua were fabulous in their respective ways, the In Memorium segment was gorgeous, and the Tracy Chapman/Luke Combs duet was everything. And, of course, Trevor Noah was perfect again as host. The only thing I missed from the show was last year’s hip hop tribute.

I’m still singing Fast Car, but for you, here’s this week’s Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.

Reading

Tortured Poets’ or Poets? Taylor Swift Meets the Apostrophe Police. (New York Times)

Novels took a back seat to news and Substacks for me this week, and really that’s okay. My favourite piece I read was from the New York Times, a delightfully nerdy article debating an apostrophe’s placement in Taylor Swift’s newly announced album The Tortured Poets Department.

Eating

Natalie’s Wood Fired Pizza (Natalie’s Grandview)

Staying on the Swiftie train, Friday night I caught Saylor Twift (yes, you read that correctly) a Taylor Swift cover band at Natalie’s Grandview. The band was exactly what you’d expect them to be, young, adorable, occasionally out of tune (or forgetting words) but with an enthusiastic crowd, they were super fun. Even more fun was the pizza at Natalie’s, cooked in their wood-fired pizza oven, its was flavourful with pillowy crust and so, so yummy.

Funky Funghi pizza from Natalie’s Grandview

Playing

Bliss’ Kitchen Playlist (Spotify)

My time at home this week was limited, in-person work commitments, a haircut, a car recall and more had me out an about. When I was at home, it was all about cozy comfort for me, and a perfect soundtrack to match. All of Bliss Lundgren’s playlists are fabulous, and this Bliss’ Kitchen playlist was perfect for winding down this week.

Obsessing

Oversized Pearl Stud Earrings (J. Crew)

Pearls are my birthstone and anytime I can find a special piece of jewelry that includes them I try and add it to my collection. These oversized pearl studs might be next. Over an inch in diameter, these make a statement to any neutral outfit, and they’re lightweight too! Here’s hoping they don’t look super weird on my small earlobes.

Image courtesy of J. Crew

Recommending

Nanothermic 2 3/4" Brush (Olivia Garden)

Sitting in my hairdresser’s chair reminded me how much I love this hairbrush. After my previous cut, I marched down the sidewalk to Ulta to pick this up after she used it to straighten my hair, and I’ve been using it ever since. My hair is thick and this brush grabs and holds it without any issues, allowing me to hold it straight to blow dry. The thermal core is its best feature, the heat this thing holds is amazing, giving my hair bodacious volume every blow dry. I 1000% recommend.

Treating

GeoSupplyCo Valentine’s Earrings (Etsy)

Hearts are totally in fashion right now, and I can’t resist heart-shaped jewelry especially this month. I’ve been following this local maker, GeoSupplyCo, for years, and when I saw her Valentine’s Drop on Instagram, I knew I’d be adding to cart immediately. When you’re a red/pink girly or more neutral (oh, hey) her heart designs are whimsical and modern at the same time. And who doesn’t love supporting local?

Image courtesy GeoSupplyCo

Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T: January 29-February 4, 2024

It finally happened.

After more than a week of gloom, the sun finally made an appearance in our half of the country. It was all anyone could talk about - seriously - even the Department of Transportation got in on the joke.

The arrival of sunshine corresponding with the start of a new month was pretty poetic. And bright sun and cold temps is my absolute favourite type of weather. I’ll be soaking up the vitamin D for as long as it’s here.

Here’s my Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T for the last week of January.

Reading

The Idea of You (Robinne Lee)

After all the dragons, the magic and the angst of Iron Flame, I needed a reading palate cleanser. I’ve had The Idea of You in my Kindle app for awhile, and upon hearing that this book is going to be a movie, it was time to finally crack it open. Boy, was it a palate cleanser. I’m still not sure how I feel about it, but I wasn’t as shook about the ending as the rest of the internet seems to be?

Eating

Chimichurri Salmon (Blue Apron)

Blue Apron and I have a love/hate relationship right now.

I love that it constantly exposes me to new flavours and new flavour combinations, even as a longtime (pre-COVID) subscriber. But what I hate is the constant price increases and the ever-more-frequent boxes arriving with missing items. This past week was one those love/hate weeks, my box came missing a significant ingredient, but the recipe above was absolutely delicious. Their seafood grain bowls are some of my faves and this one with chimichurri is a new fave.

Playing

French Cafe Lounge (PMB Music)

WFH vibes. When I’m hitting my mid-morning high, fully caffienated and ready to tackly the big task, I love to put on something loungy that I can groove around the house to. This French Cafe Lounge playlist surprised me on first listen, it’s full of covers that I’ve never heard of - yet top to bottom they’re the perfect soundtrack to a day full of good vibes.

Obsessing

B34 ceramic candlestick holders (Completedworks)

Image via Matches

The limit does not exist for the amount of times this pair of candlestick holders has been in my shopping cart. If it wasn’t for the $20 shipping charge they’d probably be in my house by now.

I love the unique shape of them and how perfectly un-perfect they are. The glossy black colour is everything.

Recommending

Mia Oversized Bag (Kindersalmon)

Image via W Concept

Earlier in the week I shared what’s been in my bag this January, but that’s not the only bag I’ve been toting this month. For my in-office days, this Oversized Black bag by Kindersalmon has been perfect. It’s big enough to carry my laptop, planner, notebook, pencil case, and computer accessories, and it’s light enough to carry all those things I just mentioned and keep its shape. It also gets bonus points for its full zipper and a strap that is big enough to fit over your biggest winter coat.

Treating

Come From Away (Broadway in Columbus)

This time I had the tissues ready.

Come From Away is easily in my top five most favourite musicals I’ve seen, probably even in the top three. It’s an hour and forty minutes of humour, fun, kindness, compassion and so much more. Sprinkled throughout the show are touches of Canadiana that only a Canadian would understand. It’s that taste of home for this Canadian that makes this show one of my favoes.

What's in my bag: January

“What’s in you bag” has always been one of my favourite old-school magazine features. I love a sneak peek into the “necessities” that editors carried, items that we’re deemed special enough to carry around every day.

(If you’re looking for a modern version, Vogue Japan has a great YouTube series of these).

So in homage of my old-school fashion journalism, here’s a peek at what’s been in my bag this January.

Stand Studio medium Lolita faux shearling trimmed tote (similar)

I love how perfect this bag is for the winter months. The faux leather stands up to elements really well, it’s not too structured that it can’t absorb a random large object (or seven), and the shearling is so, so fun. It’s perfect for all the extra stuff I need to schlep when it’s cold and dark and an instant mood booster too.

It also doesn’t hurt that it gets complimented everywhere I go. I love that it brings a smile to everyone’s face.

A look at what’s inside my bag this month

Speaking of schlep….

Room for a pair of sunglasses and room for a pair of my optical glasses is the number one requirement I have of any handbag during the winter months. My not-so-young eyes need helping hiding from the sun and focusing in the dark so these are a must have every time I leave the house. I like pairs in winter that have nose pads - I find they usually work better under a winter beanie (or over a face mask if I’m being extra cautious).

You’ll also find a variety of skin care and makeup in my bag each month and lip products that have some sort of moisturizing texture (Dior Lip Oil, Summer Fridays Butter Balm and Glossier Ultra Lip are pictured here).

As for non-beauty items pictured above, I find that Muji notebooks and pens are the perfect “purse size” for jotting down things I want to remember, and my AirPod Pros are perfect listening to music to block everything else out. I couldn’t resist the Ikea coin purse - it protects the AirPods, and my key chain, from the rest of my bag.

Lastly, it wouldn’t be a purse of mine if it didn’t have at least one kind of candy in it. My Roots coin purse is chock full of peppermints (and an iPhone charger) and the Skittles are for emergency pick-me-up use only (working on the amount of emergencies in 2024).