Happy October!

After an exhausting end to September (a persistent UTI that wouldn't go away until the second round of antibiotics, followed by a family health crisis which is thankfully in hand now), October is finally here! I am looking forward to cooler temps (although really, since last week when fall officially commenced, the weather has been simply gorgeous for the most part) with crisp autumn breezes, baking lots of yummy spiced goodies, indulging in the occasional Pumpkin Spice Latte, wearing sweaters and thicker socks, and having a more structured weekly schedule (shifts at work + a little tutoring on the side). Plus, our exciting Thanksgiving plans include spending the holiday Monday cleaning out some piles of stuff that have just been sitting around (shoved into closets or, more embarrassingly, in a heap on our bedroom floor) for faaaar too long. You have no idea how much I am looking forward to that day. It'll be like my birthday's come early!! :)

Today was a much needed day off for me, but after a luxurious 11-hour sleep I actually had enough energy to be fairly productive, to wit: I took care of some financial housekeeping and some real housekeeping and even baked two loaves of bread ("honey whole wheat" and a new recipe for banana bread, yum!) after dinner. Maybe it's nothing more than the change in the weather, but, for whatever reason, it seems like I suddenly have my cooking mojo back, and I'm loving it! So much, in fact, that I can hardly wait to share a fall recipe round-up with you guys. But that's for tomorrow...
Happy October, everyone!

xx,
K

A Do-Nothing Day

Despite waking up this morning at 6:30 am and discovering that the back pain I was experiencing in my dream was actually back pain I was experiencing in real life, it's been a pretty good day all around. I cancelled my morning gym appointment, soothed my back with a hot pack that Wilson heated up for me, and then tucked in for a lazy day at home. Well, after making scrambled eggs and oatmeal for breakfast. I figured since I was already awake and clearly not about to go back to sleep anytime soon I might as well make myself useful before Wilson left for work. :p

Miraculously, my back pain has completely disappeared now (What the what?! Not that I'm complaining!), and I'm extra rested and ready to face a full day of work and errands tomorrow. Plus, I've checked some correspondence items off my to do list, researched what kind of tablet we should buy if we do indeed buy a tablet, and even signed myself and a friend up for ZUMBA! classes at a local studio, thanks to a great online deal.

So now it's off to listen to more tracks from Laurence Fox (my latest music obsession), read the graphic novel I borrowed from the library, and make a teriyaki shrimp stir fry for dinner. Life is good. :)

L'obsession

Forgive me for a slightly vapid post today, buuuut...I can't stop thinking about this perfume!

Quite a few months ago it was highlighted on a blog I frequent, and I was planning to check out a sample but I never actually ended up going to Sephora. (Admittedly, I have a bit of a hang-up about going into stores like Sephora. Always makes me feel so self-conscious, way more than I usually do!!) Then today it popped up on my radar again and I can't get it out of my head.

It's described thusly on the website: "This fresh, smooth floral fragrance evokes sublime powdery rose. The effect is chic, comfortable, and entirely addictive. Top notes of pink peony, freesia, and lychee embody subtle freshness. At the heart, midnotes of magnolia flower, lily of the valley, and rose rise to sublimated femininity. A base of velvety elegance comes to fruition through cedarwood, amber, and honey."

Alright, so the description is a little over the top. (Sumbilmated femininity, really?!?!) But don't those delicate, flowery scents sound perfect for summer? Or fall? Or winter...

One compliment I find secretly thrilling is when someone says, "Mmm, you smell great!" Haha, juvenile perhaps, but true! Who doesn't like smelling fresh and lovely, though? So maybe I'll do a Sephora-run tomorrow after all. (Bonus, I can pick up a refill of my favourite lip balm of all time. Yay, two birds with one stone!) I wonder if the Chloé Eau de Parfum will displace my usual scented shampoo/conditioner as my "signature" fragrance of choice?

Afternoon Tea at the Windsor Arms

Ages ago, Wilson bought a voucher for us to have High Tea together, as it's something I've always wanted to do. I have hosted tea parties before (formal and informal), which is tons of fun, and have gone to a Victorian Tea Room (also a great experience), but this was my first time having High Tea with Wilson. Definitely something I'd love to do again! :) Here are some photo highlights of our lovely afternoon... Enjoy! xx

The gorgeous entrance to the Windsor Arms Hotel

This was the doorway into our section of the tea room. The curtains made it feel
really private and exclusive (although it was hardly exclusive if we were there!)

Afternoon Tea menu

The tables were set with crisp white linen, beautiful butterfly-patterned china edged in gold,
and individual strainers to keep the tea leaves from getting into the cups.
We each got to choose a loose leaf tea from their extensive menu for our own individual
 pots of tea - we tried passionfruit green tea and rose-scented earl grey. 



The spread: two kinds of scones (lemon and currant)
with devon cream and preserves, tiny sandwiches (which were
 yummy, if a little soggy), and an assortment of petit fours

Lemon scone with devon cream (YESSS!!!) and
house-made strawberry preserves (delish!)

My favourite bite: tiny grilled chicken
sandwich with citrus mayonnaise, granny
smith apple, Greek yogurt, and chives

My other favourite: goat cheese and caramelized shallot tart

Here, Wilson demonstrates the proper tea-sipping technique

Stuffed! (Our tea was surprisingly filling - in my case, I was already feeling full
before we finished the sandwiches. Must be all that liquid!!)





My Early Grey Tea with Roses was served in a rose-covered teapot, so sweet

Outside the hotel, after our luxurious High Tea experience