Lifestyle, Wine & Dine

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier

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I hope everyone is having a great 2020 so far. I’m so excited to tell you all about what I’ve been up to lately. My better half and I recently had the pleasure of checking out the new Winter Afternoon Tea menu at Zoe’s Lounge located inside the historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel. The Fairmont Laurier is a notable landmark in Canada’s capital city. If you go downtown you cannot miss this castle in the city, named after Sir Wilfrid Laurier Canada’s 7th Prime Minister.  Subsequently the tea lounge and bar at the hotel is named after his wife Lady Zoe who was fond of afternoon tea.

Those of you that know me personally are aware that I too am a huge fan of afternoon tea and have visited the Chateau Laurier on countless occasions to try their new tea menus.  Zoe’s never ceases to impress and their Winter Afternoon Tea menu is no exception.

Cocktails anyone?
Afternoon tea doesn’t just have to be about tea. Zoe’s Tea Menu has a selection of sparkling wines, Champagnes, dessert wines and afternoon cocktails to choose from. We decided to kick off the afternoon with a glass of sparkling wine after all isn’t everything better with bubbles?

Choosing your tea
One of the great features of the tea at Zoe’s is of course their tea menu offering you the choice of 21 teas. Besides the teas on the menu you can also order traditional English Breakfast tea at Zoe’s. All the teas on the menu are blended specifically for Fairmont Hotels so you really get a special treat in choosing one of their teas. I decided to go with Something Sweet, a black tea that featured rich caramel and chocolate highlights. I really enjoyed this tea as it also had a coffee aroma to it. You could also smell the notes of chocolate in it. Sash opted for Mojo Mate, a green tea with fresh lemon highlights and a spearmint finish.

The Pastries
The Winter menu at Zoe’s features a carefully curated selection of savoury and sweet pastries prepared by Pastry Chef Anne Marie Milk and her team.  We started off with the savoury sandwiches and then progressed to the desserts. Some of our favourites were the Smoked Salmon Crepe and Chicken Liver Mousse sandwiches along with the Milk Chocolate and Caramel Chocolate Choux and the Rum and Brown Sugar Cake for dessert. Last but certainly not least we enjoyed some scones with mascarpone cream and strawberry jam because what afternoon tea is complete without scones?!   I’m very traditional when it comes to scones so I enjoyed the butter cream scone with jam and cream. Full details of the Winter menu can be found here.

The Experience
Afternoon tea is lovely at any time of the year however it’s a great way to stay warm and cozy in the Winter. We really enjoyed sitting in the warmth of this historic castle while watching the world go by outside. The Fairmont Chateau Laurier’s afternoon tea menu changes on a quarterly basis so the Winter menu will be around for a couple of months.  If you live in Ottawa or are going to be visiting soon I cannot recommend this experience enough!  In addition to the traditional tea menu Zoe’s also offers the Little  Prince and Princess Tea menus for children under 12.

What makes afternoon tea at Zoe’s a truly memorable experience is the staff and the ambiance, aside from the food of course 😉 We had a pleasant and relaxing time during our tea thanks to Deneen and her team and our server Garrick, who made this a wonderful experience for us. All staff at the hotel really live up to the Fairmont standard of service and this is quite evident in how popular the Fairmont Laurier is among Ottawa natives and tourists alike.

The afternoon tea service at Zoe’s is available Wednesday to Sunday. There is a 1pm and 3pm seating Wednesday-Friday and an additional 11am seating on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are highly recommended as the Zoe’s afternoon tea is quite popular.

Fashion, Holiday Style

My Fave Dress Picks for NYE

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I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and you’re enjoying the holiday season. Can you believe we will be in to a new decade in a few days?! 2020 is around the corner and it’s going to be a great year.

Whether you’re going out or staying in New Year’s Eve is something to celebrate.Have you picked out your dress for New Year’s Eve yet? Here are few of my favourite dresses for NYE.

My first pick is this black mock neck dress from Dynamite Clothing. I love the silver studded detail and the puffed sleeves give it a great finish. I paired this dress with a rhinestone buckle belt and some door knocker earrings. I really wanted to accentuate the silver in this dress. I also like that this dress is velvet, it’s a great fabric for Winter.

My second pick is a little unconventional for NYE but I think the colour and fabric are so classy. This satin one shoulder dress is an elegant choice if you want a break from the sparkle and shine of typical NYE dresses. I love the royal blue colour (the dress also comes in black) and the one shoulder detail of this dress. The draping in the front also make it figure flattering. I accessorized this dress with some embellished tights and rhinestone door knocker earrings.

P.S. I’m currently running a giveaway for a Dynamite Gift Card, details can be found on my instagram page.

If you want to go the more traditional route then this dress is for you. This gold dot printed dress is perfect for NYE! I like this dress because it’s stylish, comfortable and the gold dots look like confetti against the black fabric. This dress also photographs really well and has a sophisticated chic look to it. In this photo I paired it with some black tights and black pumps but you could also pair this dress with gold pumps for a really festive look. I picked this dress up last year at Le Chateau but it’s back again this year and under $100!

Which dress do you think I should choose?

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Lifestyle, Wine & Dine

Christmas in a Cup: Mulled Wine

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Hello! I’m back after a long hiatus. This Fall was a particularly tough one for me and my family as I lost both my grandparents within a span of two weeks. But I’m back at it and what better way to get back to blogging that sharing one of my favourite Christmas cocktail recipes.

Mulled wine is a drink that’s synonymous with Christmas. I like to think of it as Christmas in a cup. It’s a great warmer on a cold winter day. The thing I like the most about this drink is the way it makes your house smell when you’re making it. The blend of spices along with the wine gives off the best aroma and makes your home smell inviting and festive 🙂

Here’s my recipe for Christmas in a Cup -Mulled Wine

  1. 1 (750 ml) bottle of dry red wine – I usually use a Cabernet Sauvignon
  2. 1 orange, sliced into rounds.
  3. 1/4 cup brandy – this is optional but it does add a bit more flavour to the drink
  4. 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar – I used brown sugar
  5. 8 whole cloves.
  6. 2 cinnamon sticks.
  7. 2 star anise

To make Mulled Wine combine the wine, orange slices, brandy, sugar and spices in a large sauce pan and simmer on a low heat for at least 15 minutes. Makes sure the heat is set on low as you don’t want the mixture to boil and the alcohol to evaporate. I like to let it simmer for about half an hour but you can allow it to set for up to 3 hours, if you’re that patient.

Once you get the aroma of the wine and the spices use a ladel and strainer to pour the wine in to glasses (you can also use mason jars for a more rustic look) and enjoy with a piece piece of Christmas Cake. I picked up these mini mason jars mugs at the Dollar store but I’ve linked some similar ones below.

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9 to 5, Fashion

Fall Transition Workwear

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I’m back . . . after a long hiatus. My last post was in June, yikes! Can you believe we are at the end of August already? It’s almost Fall, one of my favourite seasons. What I love about this time of year is transitioning in to my Fall wardrobe and picking up new pieces for the cooler weather. This year I’ve been focussing a lot on workwear and versatile pieces that can wear well in to the Winter.

I am currently loving all the Fall workwear at Dynamite this year. I picked up all the pieces in this outfit from their Fall collection.  One trend I’m noticing this year is plaid. Once again we are mad for plaid and these skinny high waisted pants are no exception. I like how stretchy and versatile these pants are. They are a quite snug to begin with but have some stretch to them so resist your instinct to size up and stay true to your size with this item.

I paired the pants with a fitted camel turtleneck. I like how soft and comfortable this top is when you wear it. Camel, caramel and soft browns are another popular trend this Fall and this turtleneck is a perfect way to incorporate the trend in to your transition wardrobe.

To finish off the look I added a black blazer for contrast. It also picks up on the black stripes in the plaid pants. For a more neutral look you can add a camel blazer and stick with the soft brown tones on top.

I accessorized this look with a pair of timeless leopard print pumps for a little sass. For a more conservative look you can always wear a pair of black pumps. If you want to go the more edgy route this pair of leopard print mules is a great alternative as well.

Are you looking forward to Fall? If so what are your favourite Fall fashion trends?

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Fashion

Fave Summer Picks from Pretty Little Thing

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It’s finally Summer and it couldn’t have come sooner. I’m so happy with the  warmer weather we are (finally) getting here in Ottawa. Summer is one of my favourite seasons, I don’t know about you but I love picking out new sundresses and rompers for the warmer weather. Being a blogger and a shop-a-holic I often need to revamp my wardrobe and change over my clothes as the seasons change and of course that involves some shopping right?

I recently discovered Pretty Little Thing online and I love their Summer collection. Here are some of my favourite PLT Summer picks:

Pink Polka Dot Dress

Polka Dot Dress

How adorable is this off the shoulder polka dot dress? Pink is my favourite colour so I was just thrilled when I came across this dress. It’s perfect to wear out to lunch on a Saturday or even to cocktails if you’re feeling bold. I paired this dress is one of my favourite pairs of pink heels.

Gingham Crop Top

Gingham Crop Top

With Canada Day around the corner I was looking for a red and white gingham print top. This cute crop top is just perfect for the occasion. I paired it with some white high waisted jeans but you can pair it with a dark wash denim short for a more casual look.

Tropical Print Romper

Tropical Print Romper

It’s no secret that I’m literally obsessed with palm print and all things tropical. When I came across this adorable yellow tie back romper, I had to add it to my collection. I love how bright and colourful it is. This piece really gives me those tropical Summer vibes.

Eyelet Lace Romper

 

Eyelet Lace Romper

I found this cute and comfy romper online and I thought it was the perfect addition to my Summer haul. This piece is so comfortable and lightweight, perfect for warmer Summer days. The eyelet lace on this romper gives it a really feminine look. The frill on the shorts also gives it a more playful and flirty flare.

 

Have you checked out Pretty Little Thing’s Summer collection yet? If so what are some of your favourite pieces?

 

Thank you to the team at Pretty Little Thing US for sponsoring this post.

Fashion

Polka Dot Midi Dress

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I’m so thrilled with the great Spring weather we’ve been having lately (finally!). Spring and Summer are my favourite seasons for dresses. I was happy to come across this adorable polka dot midi dress at Suzy Shier. I normally don’t go for clothing in orange as I find it doesn’t look that great with my skin tone, but this dress was an exception. I love the polka dot pattern and the pleat details in the skirt of the dress. I also like that this dress has an enhanced waist to give it more shape. This dress is so comfortable to wear and it looks so classy. You can also find it in a darker green colour (I bought it in both colours).

I paired this dress with a straw clutch I picked up last year and my favourite Sam Edelman block heels in a nude colour. I also added some white bauble drop earrings I bought last year from Suzy. I’ve linked some similar items at the bottom of this post.

What’s your favourite style of dress for Spring/Summer?

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Fashion

East Meets West – Fusion Fashion with Frida’s Attic

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Spring has finally arrived and although it certainly hasn’t felt like it this week, I decided to take some photos outside in the name of an East meets West photoshoot. I’ve been meaning to do this shoot ever since I received a beautiful hand made clutch from Frida’s Attic last Fall.

I was fortunate enough to connect with Frida’s Attic founder and owner Adriana on Instagram last year. I’m so excited to be working with this Ottawa based entrepreneur. Her focus is slow fashion in a trendy world. Adriana sources pieces from her native Mexico and all the items in her collection are carefully selected by her personally. I’m a huge fan of the vibrant colours and intricate designs of her clothing and accessories. You can read more about the collaboration I did with her last year by following this link – Collaboration with Frida’s Attic 

I’ve always wanted to do an east meets west fusion fashion shoot. The moment I received my clutch from Frida’s Attic I knew exactly which eastern piece to pair it with. The colours in this clutch complemented one of my sarees perfectly. I don’t get to wear sarees very often in Canada so it’s taken me a while to get around to shooting this look. I love how seamlessly these two pieces blend together. It almost seems like I picked up the saree and the clutch at the same place. I chose this saree because of its bright colours and beading. This entire look reminds me of a warm Summer day, although it was very cold and windy outside. I put on a brave face for these photos 😉

I admire the slow fashion concept behind Frida’s Attic and the fact that the pieces can be worn with so many different styles and genres of clothing. This particular look is just one of the ways you can incorporate Frida’s accessories in to your wardrobe. I paired this clutch with a saree but you could also carry it with jeans and a white tee or a Summer dress. It’s a great statement piece as well.

If you liked this look check out Frida’s Attic online and on Instagram.

What are your thoughts on fusion fashion?

 

 

Fashion

Floral Print Dress

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Is it Spring yet? One thing I love about Spring fashion is floral prints, so I was happy to come across this floral print dress at Suzy Shier. It’s no secret that Suzy Shier is one of my favourite stores for dresses. I love the fit of this dress. It’s snug in the shoulders and waist and lean in the skirt as well. I also like the cut out detail on the shoulders. I must admit I was a little apprehensive when I first saw this dress on the hanger, it’s not something I would normally pick up but I really liked the way it looked when I tried it on.

This dress is perfect to go from the office to the cocktail lounge. I paired it with a ruched sleeve knit blazer in coral. I wanted to accentuate the peach tone of the floral print on the dress. The colour of this  blazer also reminded me of Pantone’s colour of the year for 2019 – Living Coral. In keeping with my coral accent I added a pair of faux suede coral pumps I picked up last year.

Will you be wearing Pantone’s colour of the year this Spring?

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Personal

Birthday Post – How well do you know me?

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It’s my birthday!I  turned 32 today so I’ve added a few items to bring this list to 32 things  you probably didn’t know about me. How many of them did you know?

1. I’m an only child – it’s true I have no siblings, I never wanted a sister but I always wanted an older brother.

2. I was all about that bass before Meghan Trainer made it cool – I started playing bass guitar in middle school and played it all the way through high school. I still own 2 bass guitars and I can play the stand up bass as well.

3. I have a pen pal and she lives in Paris (Hope you’re reading this Maheshi :))

4. I live in Canada but I am not a hockey fan – could never get in to it.

5. I speak French and was in French Immersion from middle school all the way through high school.

6. I never travel light- I like to have a lot of clothing options so I usually bring many different outfits on my travels.

7. I’m a shoe-a-holic and have 3 dressers full of shoes. Don’t ask me how many pairs I have I’ve lost count!

8. I love karaoke and even have a karaoke app on my phone.

9. I’m over 25 and still getting ID’d at the LCBO – sad but true and I’m trying to look at it as a compliment.

10. I’m a huge Elvis Presley fan and I’d love to visit Graceland some day.

11. I was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and moved to Canada twice – once when I was 5 and permanently when I was 8.

12. I’m a published author – you can find my book Cocktails & Conversations: a guide to networking on Chapters.ca

13.  Baking is one of my hobbies (aside from blogging of course) and I love making desserts for friends and family.

14.I don’t have a favourite TV show. I rarely have time to watch TV so it’s hard for me to commit to watching a show every week.

15.I’m a professor at a local college.

16. My hair is naturally wavy not straight.

17. My first pet was a Pomeranian named Toshi, I now have a Yorkie named Chloe.

18. I’m a huge trivia geek, pick me if you’re looking for a trivia team member!

19. I’d love to be a stay at home mom some day, I think it’s really important to take time out for your family especially your children.

20. I ran my own consulting business for 5 years.

21. My first job was a junior camp counselor at a day camp for toddlers; I was 15 so I got paid $50 a week!

22. My favourite colour was and still is pink.

23. I like investing and looking for new ways to save money and grow my investments.

24. I’m a morning person. I start work at 7:30 so I’m up early during the week.

25. My least favourite candy is licorice – never liked it and cannot stand it.

26. Aside from Sri Lankan food my favourite cuisine is Italian 🙂 I went to Italy for the 2nd time last summer and loved everything I ate there.

27. I don’t drink beer- I enjoy the occasional glass of wine but I never liked beer.

28. I’ve never actually finished a poutine, I’m not a huge fan.

29. I don’t have any tattoos and don’t intend on getting any.

30. I’m probably one of the few people who cannot whistle, just can’t do it.

31. I love doing impressions and my best friend thinks I’d be a great comedienne.

32. I’m a total camera ham – if you know me personally I’ve probably asked you to take my picture 😉 

Fashion

Valentine’s Day Work Outfit

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It’s almost mid February, which means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. This year Valentine’s Day falls on a week day, Thursday so most of us will be at work during the day. I find it’s a bit of a challenge to be festive and keep things professional at work so I was thrilled when I found this Valentine’s Day outfit that’s perfect for work.

I found this great dotted ruffle dress at Suzy Shier. I love the look of this dress. The red in the print gives it a festive feel without being too over powering. I wanted to accentuate the red in this dress for a Valentine’s Day look so I accessorized by adding a pair of red pumps and a satchel purse. Alternatively I also paired this dress with a red wrap coat that I picked up at Suzy.

What I love about this dress is that it’s a practical and versatile addition to my work wardrobe as opposed to a novelty item. You can also dress this piece up or down. I was going for a more work appropriate look but you could wear this dress to after work cocktails or even with a jean jacket in the Spring. I also like that this dress has a DVF inspired look to it.

Are you planning on wearing red to work this Valentine’s Day?

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