D'oh

My job interview for this afternoon has been postponed. Time for endless worries until I hear from someone else.

Hire me! Someone! Hire me! I'm nice! I love babies and dogs and donuts. What more could you ask for?

I hope you have a cheerful Friday. I'll be back tomorrow with a yummy cake donut recipe! Sprinkles! Icing! Oh my!

These are a few of my favorite things III

Shops

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When it comes to shopping, I love kitsch! Stores with cute girls behind the register, clashing fabrics, animal prints, books about donuts, and lots and lots of dresses. Here's my top three list of places to go when there's money burning a hole in my pocket.


Good Egg

Toronto, Ontario

Photo via BlogTO

This shop is the only reason to visit Toronto.  It's dedicated towards those who love to eat. They've got everything from food themed erasers, to high end pots and pans, to children's lunch boxes. Everything is so beautifully curated. It's hard to leave, let alone leave empty handed.

Photo via Goodegg.ca

Photo via Open Book Toronto

Young Janes

Ottawa, Ontario

Photos via Youngjanes.blogspot.com

Ottawa is a pretty tough place to find nice second hand vintage clothing. There are only a handful of stores that have nice selections, and Young Janes is one of them. Located just beyond the market, Young Janes is filled with classic girly pieces, from Pony brand purses, to quirky brooches and sunglasses. Their prices are fair, and the girls who work there are adorable. If you're ever in the country's capital, you must stop by. You won't be disappointed.

Citizen Vintage

Montreal, Quebec

Voted number 3 best vintage clothing store in Montreal, Citizen Vintage, located in the trendy Mile End, is a beacon of hipster hope. Filled with expensive Rolling Stone t-shirts, and a Linus bicycle on display, there's no reason why someone who enjoys french press coffee wouldn't want to spend their rainy afternoon searching through the neatly organized racks. When my mom was last in the city, her and I visited Citizen twice in three days. I got myself a 90's long-sleeved floral print dress, and my mom (owner of a vintage clothing store in Waterloo, Ontario) found several items for her store.
If you plan on visiting, bring your Mastercard. You'll end up buying way more than you expected! 

Photo via Montreal In Style

Honorable Mentions:

Patina Vintage - Waterloo, Ontario
Amazing owner, great selection on authentic one of a kind vintage clothing and housewares.

The Green Room - Stratford, Ontario
A gem, really. I fell in love with this store when I was thirteen. She sells Hunter Wellies and Cheap Mondays, and has the best selection of sunglasses on the planet (or at least in Stratford).

Badlands Vintage - Toronto, Ontario
If a 1970's velvet painting were a store, Badlands would be it. Hit it up if you want ironic t-shirts or high waisted denim.

Dystynct Boutique - Waterloo, Ontario
This is my mom's vintage and consignment clothing store. She sells a variety of high end designer accessories and clothes, from Louis Vuitton to Marc Jacobs. 

Finding Your Niche

Hi there!

As you already know, I quit my job. It's been two weeks now, and there's been little to no regret. There has been, however, a hell of a lot of "soul searching".

I've decided that I'm going to take a break from pastry for the next little bit. There's not a lot of places in Montreal that are currently hiring pastry chefs, and I desperately need to start paying off my debt.

I'm now trying to become a nanny and housekeeper.

So far I have had an interview with a fancy lady who needed a dog nanny and cook. I was really confident in the interview. I emailed her the following day to thank her for taking time out of her day to talk to me. Unfortunately she may no longer have a position for me. I've also spoken to another fancy French lady who needs help getting her house back into order. I have a meeting with her in Friday, but she's lives off the island, and her house is 6000+ square feet!

I never would have guessed that it would be this complicated trying to find a job I love. Montreal seems like such a magical place, with magical bakeries and shops. But honestly, I feel like I would be happier in a smaller place. A place where when you walk down the street you see a friend that you know. Where you go to work, and you are already friends with the boss. A place where everyone knows everyone, in a positive way.

It's obviously going to take many years for me to find my niche  I'm only 20. This is JUST the beginning of my adult confusion. Blergh.

Earlier this week Boy and I watched Julie and Julia to try and cheer me up. Julia was 40 when she discovered what she loved to do!

Weekend Tricks

How was your weekend?

Mine was absolutely lazy!

Boy and I watched the last two installments of Harry Potter, indulged in sushi, went to the laundry mat, watched season one and two of Grey's Anatomy (I just discovered it and I'm hooked!) and made caramel corn.

We also stopped by a party, but left too early because of the grandma inside of me.

What did you do?

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Caramel Corn
yields around two cups of sugary sweet popcorn. Enough for a 2.5 hour movie, for sure!

1/4 cup popcorn kernels
1/2 brown sugar
2 tbsp white sugar
1/3 cup golden corn syrup
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp cream

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Oil/butter a spatula, and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
-In an air popper, or in a large pot over the stove (with a dash of olive oil), pop the popcorn kernels. 
-Transfer popcorn to a large bowl and set aside.
-In a medium sized sauce pan, combine brown sugar, white sugar, corn syrup, salt, and cream together. Cook on medium high heat, without stirring, until the mixture starts boiling and becomes a golden yellow colour. This can take up to 10-15 minutes. 
-Immediately pour over the popcorn, while stirring with the oiled spatula. Stir until well coated.
note - I poured the caramel over the popcorn that was on a baking tray. Bad bad bad idea, very hard to stir! Stick to the bowl!
 -Spread popcorn evenly onto lined baking tray and put into the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes.
-Take out and cool completely so that the yummy caramel can harden.

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These are a few of my favourite things II

Films

Who can resist a crazy daughter and mother living alone in a rotting home with racoons and stray cats? Their strange relationship vaguely reminds me of the one I share with my mother (haha!).
The Gilmore Girls think they're a hoot... 

2 Days in Paris is about a couple who go to Paris to visit Marion's parents who are crazy and hilarious. Jack, the asshole boyfriend, is jealous of every man that Marion knows and doesn't understand Marion's upbringing. It's hilarious and Julie Delby is a dream to watch.
Now, in 2 Days in New York, Marion is dating Mingus, played by Chris Rock. The perfect combo! So much bickering and hilarity ensue when Marion's family come to visit, and stay in their tiny two bedroom apartment. Everything goes wrong and Marion goes crazy.
Watch if you love French humour and a ton of commotion. 

A classic! Classic! Annie Hall is a film about comedy and love. Neurotic Alvy falls for a preppy and equally neurotic Annie. Alvy is obsessed with analyzing their relationship, which causes it to fail.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Woody told Diane to come to the set in her own clothes. She didn't have a stylist! What a lady! 

What are your favorite movies?

These are a few of my favourite things

Over the next couple of posts I'll be sharing the belongings that I love. From tea towels, to novels, to salt and pepper shakers, to kitchen tools. Maybe you can acquire and love them, too.

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Books: I have the same taste in books as your mom.

Molly Wizenberg's book is one of my top ten favs. Her story telling and recipes make it very hard to put down. Molly's scone recipe is the only scone recipe you'll ever need.

Who wouldn't enjoy reading about Diane Keaton and her relationship with her mother? In the novel you learn all about her love affairs with Hollywood's most handsome men, from Woody Allen to Al Pacino. If Diane Keaton isn't for you, you should definitely give this to your mom for Christmas.

 Nora Ephron is my favourite story teller. She is also my favourite screen play writer, director, and producer. Her movies and novels are quirky and romantic. Her writing about being a woman couldn't be more accurate, with chapters called "I Hate My Purse" and "What I Wish I'd Known". It makes for the perfect weekend read, and is almost as good as watching You've Got Mail.


All books are available through Indigo and Amazon.ca for under $20. All images were found on Google Images.

Studio Apartment

When I first moved to the city I was on a pretty tight budget. The smartest thing for me to do was to live with room mates, a boy and a girl who I met on Kijiji. The apartment that we lived in was huge and beautiful. But as time went on, it slowly began to fall apart! On one occasion, I left for the week and when I came back, there was a 1 inch crack from floor to ceiling in my bedroom. 

I started looking for one bedroom and studio apartments, and much to my surprise, the first apartment I looked at I ended up taking! It was a little rough around the edges, but I knew with a little elbow grease I'd be able to make it shiny and Sarah-y.

So here it is, my not so spacious studio apartment. It's on the first floor, and has a giant window for me to spy on strangers. It's colourful and cozy.

Now, if any of you guys would love to visit for a weekend, I'd love to host you.