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Uniformity

I’ve always had an unusual fascination with school uniforms. Attending public school in Saskatchewan, the idea of wearing variations of the same thing every day seemed elusive and mildly entertaining. When I first met Nick, I was enamoured with his navy school blazer, which is still in his closet today.

I’m drawn to tartan and plaid in my daily wardrobe, perhaps because it is so wearable. It’s reminiscent of the Scottish kilt, which is so far removed from my own heritage. This pinafore by Montreal designer, Betina Lou is a staple in my wardrobe. Both elegant and understated, I love wearing it with turtlenecks in the winter and basic white tees in the summer. Paired with this high-collared silk top by Black Eye Peach, it looks like it belongs in the 70s. Now, all I need is long hair and a middle part and I’d look just like my mom. For shoes, I often revert back to my trusty Alexander Wang booties. (Wait for them to go on sale!)

Did you wear a school uniform? Do you wear a work uniform of sorts?

March 1, 2016
Christchurch Creatives: Radler Tours

One of the things I harp on about constantly is cycling. I’ve never particularly enjoyed cycling as a sport or a rigorous form of exercise. For me, it’s a practical way to get around. In cities like Toronto and Stockholm, residents cycle almost year-round. Even a little bit of snow on the ground isn’t much of a deterrent. When my sister spent a semester in Umeå, she immediately purchased a second-hand bike and along with the other students, regularly fell into snowbanks on her way to class. When it snows in Christchurch, it melts almost immediately, so winter cycling is all the more appealing.

Even so, when Nick pitched his idea for a bicycle and beer tour, I was initially skeptical. While cycling in Christchurch is relatively accessible, it’s by no means the preferred way of getting around. But with designated cycleways a top priority for the city, more and more people are taking to cycling. It’s also a great way to enjoy a night out. Cycling after a few beers is 100% legal and a lot safer than driving.

And so, it’s with much excitement, that we announce the launch of Radler Tours. Radler is the German word for cyclist, and like the Bavarians before us, our tour will encompass, in equal measure, bicycles and beer. Our aim is to cater to both locals and tourists, as a fun way to see and experience Christchurch. Oh, and we’re excited to be regularly visiting some of our favourite Christchurch bars and restaurants:

Radler Tours was founded with the aim to provide a fun, healthy, and sustainable way to experience Christchurch’s best hospitality. Following the devastating earthquakes in 2011, Christchurch lost over 130 unique bars, restaurants, clubs, and cafes. Many have re-opened in and around the CBD, but are no longer closely clustered together. Consequently, there is no focal point for the city’s entertainment and hospitality scene. Both tourists and residents are unaware that new and vibrant establishments have emerged on the fringes of the CBD, all within a leisurely biking distance of one another.

At the moment, we’ve been testing out the tours with our friends and planning an inaugural tour with a few Christchurch locals. We’ll keep you posted as to the launch of Radler Tours, but for the meantime, please visit our website for updates!

Follow @radlertours on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

February 28, 2016
Hong Kong Happenings

I had contemplated an extended layover in Hong Kong for awhile. However, with the Canadian dollar being so weak at the moment, I was initially apprehensive. After two weeks in Vietnam, Hong Kong’s prices felt noticeably high. Fortunately, we were only there for a few days and managed to survive in a teeny tiny hotel room for four nights.

Hong Kong has something for everyone. It’s a hub of activity and an eclectic mix of culture and consumerism. I was dying to experience both the old and new. Travellers will appreciate the traditional diners and eateries, the vibrant nightlife, the extraordinary views, and the seemingly infinite markets of Kowloon.

Sightseeing & Activities/

The Kowloon markets are so much fun and come in all shapes and sizes. Without a doubt, the flower markets were our favourite. We spent hours perusing the beautiful blooms on display and regretted not being able to take anything home with us.

Be sure to check out the Goldfish Market and Bird Market, both are unconventional and interesting, and the Ladies Market for souvenirs.

Hong Kong is known for its shopping and nightlife, but most of the brands are similar to what you’d find in North America and Europe. With our dollar being so weak, we steered clear of the malls and ventured to the aforementioned markets. If you’re looking to drop some cash, Causeway Bay is a good place to start.

Whatever you do, make sure you hike (rather than taking the tram) up to The Peak. It’s a fantastic workout and the spectacular view provides the perfect reward.

While most tour books highly recommend day tripping to see Big Buddha, we decided to give it a miss. Natalie had already been and I was satisfied with the Buddhas we had already seen in Vietnam. Maybe one day I’ll go back!

Eat/

The food scene in Hong Kong blew me away. Traditional diners, where not a word of English is spoken, sit alongside trendy cafés and ultra modern ice cream parlours that delight both the eyes and the tastebuds.

Oddies Foodies: My favourite spot, by far, was Oddies! The tiny storefront on Wan Chai Road is usually jam-packed with locals and tourists. The Hong Kong-style waffles look as good as they taste!

Via Tokyo: If matcha’s your thing, you’ll love Via Tokyo. The matcha soft-serve here is drool-worthy. And for those who prefer soft-serve in other variations, they’ve got that too!

Mido Cafe: This timeless cafe is straight out of the movies, in fact many Hong Kong movies were filmed here. The mint interior is timeless and charming. The food isn’t anything special, but the atmosphere makes up for it.

Little Bao: I’m bao-obsessed, and this place came highly recommended by several people. After a particularly gruelling hike up to the Peak, Natalie and I were craving something a little different. She had the vegetarian bao and I had the pork belly, and we were both thoroughly impressed by both the quality of the baos and the super friendly service.

Grassroots Pantry: After all the ice cream we’d inhaled, it was time to replenish with some greens. Grassroots Pantry, with its swoon-worthy interior and plating, is the place to do it.

Hello Kitty Chinese Café: While Natalie and I were the only adults there without children in tow, all my childhood dreams came true at the HK restaurant in Kowloon. The wait is worth it for the Hello Kitty dumplings, buns, cutlery and decor.

Coffee/

After drinking way too much Vietnamese coffee (usually instant coffee with condensed milk), I appreciated the vibrant cafe culture in Hong Kong.

The Cupping Room: The tiled floors at the Wan Chai branch are as iconic as the flat whites. Breakfast here also deserves a mention!

Elephant Grounds: Another solid option for fantastic coffee. Their ice cream also looked delicious, but I didn’t have a chance to try it!

Stay/

We had a bit of drama with our accommodation (which was no one’s fault but my own) and ended up staying at Mini Hotel – Causeway Bay. While the walls are paper-thin and the rooms are smaller than my closet, the location was perfect, which is really what I’m all about.

February 25, 2016
Lilac Dreams

My schedule has been pretty out of whack as of late, which partially explains the erratic blog posts. On the other hand, I really need to be more diligent in uploading regular content. In March, I’ll be back to posting 2-3 times per week.

Let me know if you enjoy the occasional outfit post. I know it’s not my usual style, but I really enjoy switching it up a bit. As bad as it sounds, it gives me a reason to dress better and experiment with my style. I always feel more inspired after putting together an #OOTD, don’t you?

This lilac look is something I would wear to a summer wedding. I immediately gravitated towards the colour, which looks great with a tan. I also like the longer length and extra panels in the front and back. I’m actually saving this dress for a wedding I’m attending back in Canada later this year, but thought I’d give you a sneak peek.

Dress by Keepsake via Zip Me Up, shoes by Moochi.

February 22, 2016
Where To Holiday In New Zealand

It’s no secret that I love New Zealand, a country I’ve decided to call home. I’ve talked (and blogged) about it on countless occasions, but have yet to disclose my favourite holiday destination.

Despite living in Auckland for three years, I’ve always been captivated by the South Island. Its geography changes so rapidly and dramatically; one minute you’re driving through the Southern Alps and the next you’re surrounded by lush greenery. After aimlessly counting sheep, you’re suddenly driving along the pristine coastline. It’s remarkable how the landscape shifts from arid to sub-tropical right before your eyes.

After one particularly magical week in Kaiteriteri, I even declared, “THIS is my favourite part of New Zealand!” I’m generally a pretty enthusiastic person, but something about Tasman resonated with me.

When faced with the task of showing our Toronto friend the best parts of New Zealand, we deliberated where he should spend the majority of his time. Granted, we’re living in Christchurch, which provided a great starting point for exploring the South Island.

We began our weekend in Nelson, which has an undeniably relaxed vibe about it. As New Zealand’s sunniest city, many Kiwis regularly consider packing up their lives and moving to Nelson. The city is packed with breweries, wineries and cideries, so those who enjoy a beverage or two will be satisfied. Be sure to visit Stoke, an established brewery that brews their beer in Nelson and is actually New Zealand-owned.

You won’t want to miss out on hiking Abel Tasman. Start the day off at Kaiteriteri Beach and catch a ferry to Anchorage Bay. On the ferry, you’ll see baby seals and Split Apple Rock. From there, hike 12km to Bark Bay (stopping at Cleopatra’s Pools and Sandfly Bay along the way!) Be sure to pack a lunch and some water. And like I said before, Kaiteriteri is one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand.

Prior to leaving Nelson, we walked along the main street, stopping for coffee and fresh pastries at DeVille. With expansive outdoor seating, we soaked up some more of that Nelson sun. I was also planning to visit local gem, Palm Boutique, but was unfortunately short on time.

As we began our journey back to Christchurch, we were treated to gorgeous views of the Marlborough Sounds. We made sure to stop at The Mussel Pot in Havelock for legendary mussels in a glorious outdoor setting. With a huge variety of toppings, you won’t be disappointed!

After stopping for ice cream on the Picton harbour, we visited a seal colony near Kaikoura. It’s hard to believe how much we fit into one weekend.

February 21, 2016
5 Reasons To Visit Auckland Now

Auckland is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the world. Despite being a relatively large city with 1.5 million residents, it feels more relaxed and slower paced than international cities like London, Hong Kong or New York. It seems like Aucklanders genuinely enjoy themselves and have established the perfect work-life balance.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I’ve spent a good portion of my summer in the City of Sails, so why not compile a short list of why you should visit Auckland right now?

#1. The LightPath – a bit late to the party perhaps, the light path is Auckland’s answer to conquering urban sprawl and auto-dependence. While many say, “it’s only the start,” it still feels pretty wonderful to cycle and run above the traffic. Plus, it’s hot pink, so I can’t complain about that!

#2. There are countless publications devoted to discovering the latest cafes and eateries in every city, yet in Auckland I still manage to be consistently delighted by the food on offer. Prior to walking up to the top of Mount Eden at sunset, my friend and I decided to have dinner and discovered an authentic Italian restaurant (all the employees spoke Italian to one another) that I had yet to read about anywhere.

#3. When I first moved to New Zealand, I was (and still am) in awe of the beaches. You can’t go past Muriwai and Piha, two rugged West Coast surf beaches. We spent four amazing days up in Mangawhai Heads, which is just over an hour drive from Auckland.

#4. Everyone talks about the amazing coffee culture in New Zealand, but specifically Wellington. Auckland has really upped its game in recent months. My favourite café is Ceremony in Grafton.

#5. Only a 40-minute ferry ride from central Auckland, Waiheke is an enjoyable day trip. Hang out at Oneroa Beach and stop at The Oyster Inn for lunch or visit Mudbrick and Cable Bay Vineyards.

February 15, 2016
Christchurch Creatives: SPECTRUM

While graffiti and street art have a bad reputation, they also have the power to transform cities and neighbourhoods, expose social woes, start important discussions, and bring art to the masses. The likes of Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Shepard Fairey have challenged our idea of what constitutes street art. Why should art be reserved for galleries and why can’t it exist in our daily lives as we’re walking to work?

Christchurch is filled with bewildering street art. Within the city, there’s a dichotomy between graffiti vandalism, which the city aims to remove, and commissioned street art, which has been an integral artistic element of the rebuild. In fact, the city has commissioned many pieces to either beautify the rubble.

A few Saturdays ago, Nick and I were out on our usual post-market bicycle trip when we remembered that the street art festival, SPECTRUM was on at the YCMA until April. We were both seriously impressed with the exhibition and extensive information about graffiti in New Zealand. I know a little bit about street art in North America and the UK, so it was cool to see how New Zealand

The coolest thing about the festival is that you don’t even have to visit the gallery on Hereford Street (but you should!) because all the artists have been working across the city streets transforming blank walls into works of art.

Over the past two years, 25 huge murals have been produced as a part of Oi YOU! shows.

February 2, 2016
24 Hours in Canberra

Admittedly, I had pretty low expectations prior to visiting Australia’s capital city. With the exception of politicians, ardent museum goers, and city planners, Canberra is seldom considered a destination. However, when Nick suggested a day trip to Canberra from Southwest Sydney, I was more than happy to oblige. After all, we have somewhat unique tastes when it comes to travel.

A planned city, Canberra was built around the automobile and this is immediately evident. Not the most walkable of cities, we were armed with bicycles thanks to Little National Hotel. Navigating the city was a bit confusing at first, but eventually we found our bearings and cycled around the man-made lake and from museum to museum.

Speaking of the lake, make sure to spend an hour or two pedalling around and taking in the surrounding beauty. You’ll see plenty of cyclists, rollerbladers, runners, fishers and swans.

I highly recommend checking out the multitude of national museums, galleries, and parliament buildings. They are all educational, world-class institutions, but also an excellent way to escape the heat (it hovered over 30 degrees celsius the entire time we were there!)

If you’re pressed for time, like we were, start with the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia. We were both inspired by architecture of these buildings and the breadth of information and artwork on offer.

If you have an extra day, The National Portrait Gallery and the National War Memorial are also worth a visit!

Canberra has been stepping up its food and drink game as of late, gaining the attention of several food bloggers. One of the coolest areas for food and film is New Acton. Check out any of the eateries in this area, and you won’t be disappointed. Afterwards, stop by Courtyard Cinema for an alfresco screening. Or, if you’re looking for the best range of films, visit Palace Electric – they show foreign films, art house films, documentaries, you name it!

We indulged in two delicious breakfasts (my favourite meal of the day) during our stay. Our first meal was at A. Baker, an edgy cafe with plenty of outdoor seating and delightful seasonal dishes. I loved the industrial fit-out of this spot. Our second breakfast was at Double Shot, a bustling contemporary café with excellent coffee. I ordered an açai bowl (obviously) and devoured it instantly.

Dinner consisted of burgers at aptly-named, Grease Monkey and drinks on gastropub, Hopscotch’s leafy patio. This was easily the busiest place in town with each table packed with twenty and thirty-somethings.

While many tourists forgo Canberra for Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth, Nick and I were pleasantly surprised. Our visit to the capital was rewarding on all levels and the arts, cultural and food scenes certainly delivered.

January 29, 2016
Wanaka Weekends

I was over the moon when my flatmate, Mel asked if I’d like to join her on a roadtrip to Wanaka. Apart from a pitstop a few years back, I had yet to explore this year-round resort town. The drive alone was worth the trip as we were rewarded with stunning, constantly changing scenery. Mel kindly drove the entire way as I gazed out the window and snapped photo after photo. After living in Auckland for three years, I had forgotten just how dramatic and diverse the South Island scenery is.

The following list should sufficiently equip the adventurous traveller ready to take on Wanaka.

Treble Cone: Granted we visited during the summer months, but Wanaka is a hit with skiers and snowboarders. Treble Cone is the closest ski area to Wanaka and the largest in the South Island. I’m already looking forward to a visit next winter.

Mount Iron: You can’t visit Wanaka without a hike up Mount Iron, an impressive, glacier-carved, 240-metre rocky knoll. Run or walk at your leisure!

Federal Diner: One of our favourite spots in town, we both loved the retro vibes and open kitchen concept of this diner.

47 Frocks: I fell head over heels for this must-visit boutique, which stocks many of New Zealand’s most covetable labels.

We daytripped to Queenstown, which is a short 45-minute drive from Wanaka. For a first-timer, I highly recommend partaking in all the adventure tourism on offer: skydiving, bungy jumping, white water rafting, oh my! Oh, and you can’t forget Fergburger. Other great spots for lunch include Vudu Cafe & Larder (food pictured below) and Bespoke Kitchen (as lauded by Denizen).

A few stops along the way:

Lake Tekapo: Characterized by its vibrant turquoise colour, Lake Tekapo is a popular destination in the summer months. Despite how beautiful it appears in photographs, it’s about 100 times more gorgeous in person.

Lake Pukaki: The largest of three alpine lakes along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin, Lake Pukaki is a glacial lake that has become famous for its milky-blue colour and as the foreground to Mount Cook.

January 26, 2016
Christchurch Creatives: Green Roots Organics

The city I experienced as a tourist in 2009/2010 is vastly different from the Christchurch that exists today. The old Christchurch was beautiful and Victorian, and a wee bit stuffy. The city today is more intriguing because it’s anyone and everyone’s city. While many urban centres are oversaturated, Christchurch is still in need of fresh ideas and residents are taking notice. New businesses are constantly sprouting up and creative ideas are being implemented. As a new resident, the sense of opportunity is unmistakable.

In an effort to highlight local entrepreneurs, events, worthy causes, art installations, etc., I’m kicking off a series called Christchurch Creatives.

As we near the end of January, many of us are in the process of implementing healthy habits. Green Roots Organics is a local gem that has helped me with my resolutions. The company is helmed by Kate, who makes and distributes cold press juices, superfood smoothies and açai bowls. I’ve yet to find another place in town that uses this Brazilian superfood berry. Available at the Christchurch Farmers Market every Saturday, açai bowls are a wonderful (not to mention, delicious) way to ingest some much-needed nutrients. I went through a bit of a phase in Toronto where I made açai bowls for breakfast almost every day and couldn’t believe that Christchurch hadn’t caught onto the fad.

Needless to say, Green Roots fills the void and I’ll be back every Saturday for my fix.

Be sure to check out Green Roots Organics at the Christchurch Farmers Market or grab one of their cold pressed juices at The Collective.

January 23, 2016