My goal for the last few weeks of summer is to spend more time outdoors. This hopefully means more trips to farmer’s markets, dining al fresco, swimming in lakes, iced tea on patios, and long late night walks. It’s been an intense, but satisfying, couple of months working like crazy on my summer book recipes and I’m hoping to wrap them up within the next week or two. It’s time to get outside and give my pale skin a kick of vitamin D before it’s too late.
This past weekend I fulfilled many of these goals. On Friday, Eric and I checked out West Elm – my very first time stepping foot in this store. I didn’t even realize we had a West Elm in Canada! Major oversight.
I hear they have gorgeous furniture, but I don’t remember seeing anything except the dish section.
I fell in love with this owl mug the size of my head.
I’ve been delighting Eric with “morning owl” jokes ever since.
Unfortunately, he hates morning owls.
Coincidentally, West Elm just happens to be in the area of Fresh restaurant (on Crawford). I ordered the Macro Greens bowl with tofu and my fav Liver Flush beet juice. Eric had his go-to veggie burger & fries and a strawberry, peach, mango smoothie. We enjoyed a great meal on the patio.
(I selected the Green dressing to go with it, but I think a bowl so simple needs a dressing more substantial – like a thick tahini dressing. I will probably try that next time.)
We kicked off Saturday morning with a trip to St. Jacob’s Farmer’s market. I used to go here a lot when I was younger and my family lived in Cambridge. It’s been at least 15 years since I’d last been and Eric had never been before, so we figured it was time to go! It was rammed with people all trying to stay cool in the sweltering sun.
If you aren’t familiar with St. Jacob’s market – it’s massive with an antique market, outdoor markets, flea markets and more.
It’s amazing to see the market through my 29 year old eyes versus my 12 year old eyes. I surely didn’t appreciate its beauty fully back then.
I left with a basket of beets, strawberries, plums, and an armful of green and yellow zucchini.
Early Saturday evening, Ange came over and we celebrated her birthday at Paradiso restaurant here in Oakville. I had my favourite Portobello steak dish which never disappoints! We also dined on the patio…it was such a great evening.
On Sunday, I recipe tested until 2ish and then Eric and I headed to visit Steve and Joanne at their new house in Toronto. They live walking distance to the beach now – check it out!
On the walk back to their place, we popped into a vegan bakery called Tori’s Bakeshop. I bought this sundried tomato, basil, and olive scone for us to share on the drive home. It was good even though I’m not a big olive fan – fresh and fluffy, with a strong bite.
Sketchie also recharged his batteries this weekend in a new hiding spot – tucked in behind a bunch of artwork. It took us a good 10 minutes to find this little guy!
I swear he’s rolling his eyes at me.
It’s hard to believe Labour Day long weekend is almost here (and our 4th wedding anniversary this Friday!). We’re off to my in laws place on Saturday to soak up every last bit of sunshine before taking the boat and dock out of the water for another year. Bittersweet!
Coming up, another how-to post – stay tuned…
I can’t believe you haven’t been to West Elm with all of the awesome dishes you have! Did ya spend a lot of money like I do when I go? ;-) So jealous of that farmers market. I would be in heaven!
Perhaps Sketchie is trying to tell you his inner Picaso wants to come out. You should totally put some non-toxic paint on his paws and let him “paint” you a pic on canvas!
It sounds like we have some perfect weather in store for you to get in all your last minute summer activities!! St. Jacobs is a place I haven’t been to in years. I must change that because the farmers market looks fantastic!
I love posts like this and a glimpse into what your corner of the world looks like – all that produce is gorgeous and how cool are those roses!
And yes, keep me out of West Elm. Ahem. It’s my #1 store for my furniture and home decor. Well, tied with Anthro :)
Wow!! I’m shocked that it was your first time to West Elm!!! I will drive into TO from Hamilton just to go there!! I didn’t realize there was a fresh restaurant close by, I will have to check it out next time!!!
What gorgeous photos! I grew up in Oakville and I loved Paradiso before I went vegan, haven’t tried them since; good to know they gave you a good vegan meal. Thanks for sharing. The other week, my family and I had a wonderful vegan meal at Alhambra in Bronte. The vegetarian tajine was absolutely amazing.
Tori’s Bakeshop is only my must-try list! I hear there are vegan croissants there! :)
I totally missed the croissants!
Thanks for the tip about Alhambra, I’ll have to check it out.
Oh my gosh. Those flowers made me catch my breath!!
Nice goal to spend more time outside — I’ve been trying to do the same while weather permits!
Your farmers market puts our to SHAME! I would be there every weekend if it were close by =) I’m dying for that scone though- was it really as big as it looked in the picture? I also have a West Elm close by but have never been in but I’m sold on the idea of checking it out tomorrow after seeing that owl mug!
Gorgeous photos! Love seeing all that yummy local farmers market food!
You’re absolutely right – I definitely don’t remember the St. Jacobs market looking so inviting when I was a teenager! My parents still live in Cambridge but I moved away 13 years ago…and haven’t been back to the market since. Will put it on my list for next summer’s visit for sure.
Angela you live in such beautiful place! The market looks lovely, and seems like you have lots of healthy options all around :)
Those roses in the first photo are incredible!
I’ve never heard of West Elm but it looks like a mix of Anthropologie + IKEA. In other words – I would become totally obsessed and lose all of my money there like some Vegas casino :/
Oh you were shopping in my hood! I live right beside West Elm so it’s great that I can always find odds and ends in the sale section! I NEED to go to that Farmer’s Market it looks even better than Brickworks!!
ps. I went to The Ex for lunch yesterday and there were at least 3 vegan places in the food building to balance out all the insane bacon concoctions. Progress!
Really? That’s fantastic!! All I heard about on the news was the deep fried stuff…good to know there are options :)
There’s nothing worse than looking for a cat who doesn’t want to be found, only to have him roll his eyes (or laugh) at you. Sketchie is so beautiful!
What beautiful photos! I had never heard of a savory scone before – must try that. Also, the grill marks on those tomatoes!
St Jacob’s is great!
I often go there on Sat. mornings.
It’s a great place for food and for people watching.
Your cat is so darn gorgeous!!
All the food at the market looked divine especially the cherries in large amounts! The steak with the huge mushroom looked really yummy too.
Glad you enjoyed the weekend with your hubby!!
Happy Early Anniversary Ange (and Eric!!!!!) Congratulations on another year. It looks like you’re doing a fabulous job on the ‘get outside more often’ goal. Your photos are making me think another trip to St Jacob’s is in order soon. It’s only like 5 minutes from my house so I don’t know why I don’t go more often! I’m also going to have to make a trip to West Elm… I’ve got spoon envy! ;)
I have two of those owl mugs from West Elm too!! I love them :-) Only I had to order them online because I’m not lucky enough to have a store near me….I would be in trouble if I did lol. Gorgeous photos in this post as well!
wow! what a beautiful market!!
Your pictures at the market are gorgeous!