4 Places To Visit in Niagara (That Aren't Wineries) feat. Lincoln Nautilus
Photo by Geoff Martin
If you're keen to get on the road and escape the monotony of WFH life, then a little day trip might be just what you need.
Just an hour or so from the Toronto area is the Niagara region. One of our favourite places to visit in the summer. Known for its wineries and the summer Shaw Festival, Niagara-On-The-Lake is the perfect charming daytime destination.
Geoff and I had the opportunity to head down to NOTL while test driving the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus.
The luxury SUV comes equipped with leather messaging seats, a spacious cabin, and a built-in Navigation System making it the ultimate ride.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus. Photo by Geoff Martin.
Gucci Super Mini Marmont bag. Photo by Nathalie Martin.
My Four Favourite Places to Visit in Niagara
Photo by Geoff Martin
4. Dillon's Small Batch Distillers, Lincoln, Ontario
If you’re driving to Niagara-On-The-Lake from the Greater Toronto Area, be sure to stop by Dillon's Small Batch Distillers.
Conveniently located just off the highway in Lincoln, Dillon's is the place to visit for gin enthusiasts.
Be sure to pick up a bottle of their limited-release Rhubarb Gin or the Cherry Gin Liqueur for something fun and seasonal. You won't be disappointed.
*No alcohol was consumed during our visit to Dillon’s. Please don’t drink and drive.
3. The Watering Can, Lincoln, Ontario
If you love houseplants, you'll have to stop by The Watering Can while you're in Lincoln. Admittedly, this is one of my favourite places to visit whenever I'm in the area, and no matter how many times I go, it never gets boring.
This large nursery/ garden centre stocks a variety of indoor house plants, fresh-cut flowers, and has a café that makes the tastiest pies, cookies, and lattes. Yum.
2. Pillar & Post, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Pillar and Post is probably our all-time favourite place in NOTL and it just so happens that Geoff and I got married there.
Equipped with an on-site spa, outdoor hot springs, an indoor saltwater pool, and two restaurants, it's no wonder why we love to visit P&P year after year.
Stay overnight or just stop by for a drink at their lounge if you can. You’ll love this elegant ambiance of this hotel.
1. Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Located in downtown Niaraga-On-The-Lake, the Prince of Wales Hotel is known for its vintage charm and tasty high tea.
Be sure to book reservations ahead of time using Open Table because summer is their busiest season.
Photographed by Geoff and Nathalie Martin.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
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Chia Seed Pudding with Chocolate
Hi, I’m Nathalie, and I have a sweet tooth. I love sugar, donuts, cakes, and most of all, chocolate. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t keep chocolate hidden away in the kitchen, but there are worst vices than sweets, right?
If you follow me on my second Instagram page, @woahliving, you may have noticed that I’ve been posting healthy foods on my Stories almost daily.
Since my sweet tooth is always a thing, I've had to find healthier options to satisfy my sugar craving when it hits.
An easy treat that I've been making for years is Chia Seed Pudding. It's only four ingredients and takes no time at all to put together.
Best of all, there's barely any sugar in it, and in fact, you can probably omit the sugar altogether and simply top your chia seed pudding with fresh fruits.
Below you'll find my recipe for chia seeding pudding with a twist. I topped it with the usual berries but added my favourite Theo Chocolate. I'm obsessed with their Organic Dark Peanut Butter Cups and the 70% Sea Salt Chocolate. For this recipe, I used chunks of the 85% Pure Dark Chocolate bar. I find that one square of the chocolate bar is enough whenever I'm craving sweets, but you can add as much or as little chocolate as you like.
Bon appetite.
RECIPE: Chia Seed Pudding
INGREDIENTS
Makes 1 serving
3/4 Cup Plant-Based Milk
3 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
Pinch of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
METHOD
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Cover and store in the fridge for at least two hours.
Top the oats with your favourite fruits, berries, raw nuts, or chocolate.
Enjoy!
Photographed by Nathalie Martin.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
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Pops of Green
This post is sponsored by Gucci. All photos and opinions are my own.
OUTFIT DETAILS
Wool Blazer, Zara
Crop T-shirt, Zara
AGOLDE 90s Pinch Waist Jeans
Marmont Super Mini Bag in Green by Gucci
Distressed Screener Sneakers by Gucci
My love of Gucci is back in a big way this season and I've been wearing my Super Mini Gucci Marmont bag lots! It goes with so much of my wardrobe perfectly and it's small and cute enough to fit my iPhone, lipstick, mask, cardholder, and sanitizer.
In case you missed it and are curious to learn more about this Marmont bag, make sure you check out my YouTube review/ unboxing below for more info. And while you're there, make sure to leave my video a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel!
Photographed by Geoff Martin
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
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Neutral Home Decor
After spending the last few months decluttering my home, I’ve come to love a neutral colour palette more and more. For one, it can make most spaces appear bigger, and secondly, it’s soothing and creates a stress-free environment.
While I’m still a sucker for bold colour and pattern, working with a mainly neutral space allows for the rest of my home decor accessories to stand out and shine without competing with other elements.
I recently redecorated a nook in my master bedroom that I’m excited to share.
I hope you enjoy the space!
For me, fashion and interior design go hand in hand. I need to surround myself with beautiful things that I love and that continue to inspire my creativity. I love how this super mini green Gucci Marmont bag pops in this space, almost as if it’s a part of the decor.
Anissa Kermiche vase.
Photos by Nathalie Martin.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
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Easy Overnight Oats with Goji Berries
During the week I love an easy breakfast that’s both tasty and nourishing. Overnight oats have become a staple in my house and often I’ll batch make enough for 3 days worth of breakfast for both Geoff and me.
I created this recipe after having bought a packet of overnight oats online during the lockdown. The story goes that I paid $7 for some organic, gluten-free bag of oats. I thought it was multiple servings but when my online order arrived, I felt deceived into learning it was a single serving pack. Note to self, don’t shop online late at night for new products before doing some research, and always pay attention to the serving size.
When I looked at the ingredients at the back of the bag I realized that I already had a majority of the stuff on hand. Why I didn’t make my oats from scratch, to begin with, is beyond me. Let's blame lockdown.
On the upside, this experience inspired me to create this easy, fail-proof, overnight oat recipe that I'm sharing with you here.
Aside from the usual oats and plant-based milk, I added dried goji berries to boost the flavour and to add additional nutrients. Goji berries are rich in vitamin A and C, minerals, fiber, protein, iron, and antioxidants.
To thicken the oats, I added ground flaxseeds and chia seeds.
For flavour, I added a blend of cinnamon, a favourite of mine, and half a teaspoon of this delicious Turmeric Sun Mylk Latte from Toronto-based Lake & Oaks Tea Co.
Adding a latte mix to oats might sound weird - but this blend contains organic turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, ashwagandha, maca, nutmeg, and black peppercorn. It's divine served as a drink and it's just as good, if not better when I add a bit to my overnight oats.
If you don't have Turmeric Sun Mylk Latte where you're from, feel free to improvise by adding a bit of turmeric, ginger, nutmeg to your oats for a nice spiced flavour profile.
If turmeric oats don't appeal to you, feel free to leave it out. The most important components of this recipe being oats, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, and milk. You can even leave out the goji berries too if you wish as this recipe is very versatile.
To sweeten the overnight oats, I use either maple syrup or organic coconut sugar for its slight caramel taste. Feel free to use honey or agave if you prefer.
You'll find these oats aren't overly sweet as the intention is to serve them with fresh berries or seasonal fruits.
I also like to serve my oats with raw walnuts, almonds, hemp seeds, even almond butter if I'm feeling extra hungry on any particular morning.
Finally, I find it keeps well in the fridge for about four days, but it never lasts that long in my home.
I hope you'll enjoy making this recipe! Bon appetite and don't forget to tag me on Instagram if you make these overnight oats!
RECIPE: Easy Overnight Oats with Goji Berries
INGREDIENTS
Makes 4 large servings or 6 small servings, depending how how much you like to eat for breakfast.
3 Cups Plant-Based Milk
2 Cups Quick Oats
4 Tbsps Goji Berries
2 Tbsps Ground Flaxseeds
2 Tbsps Chia Seeds (ground or whole will do)
2 Tbsps of Coconut Sugar (maple syrup, agave, or brown sugar will do)
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Turmeric Sun Mylk Latte (optional)
Pinch of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
METHOD
Make the night before and wake up to an easy, tasty breakfast in the morning.
Combine all of the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
Add milk (and liquid sweetener if you had opted for honey, agave, or maple syrup), and mix again.
Cover and store in the fridge overnight.
In the morning, stir the oats before serving. No need to heat up.
Top the oats with your favourite fruits, berries, raw nuts, or almond butter for extra protein.
Enjoy!
Photographed by Nathalie Martin.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
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5 Pieces I Can't Get Enough of This Summer
This post is sponsored by Gucci. All photos and opinions are my own.
I love the concept of a capsule wardrobe. Each season I'll add a few key pieces to my closet that become my go-to.
I find this approach allows me to create new outfit combinations easily as I revamp my existing closet without overspending.
As always, I'm mindful of what comes into my closet with the mindset to only add pieces that I love and make me feel confident. I also shop for keeps - meaning I'm more inclined to buy pieces that I'll have in my closet long-term as opposed to only going for trends. Yes, my rule even applies when buying fast fashion like Zara or H&M.
This summer I can't get enough of my black bike shorts, super mini Marmont bag from Gucci, my distressed Screener sneakers (also Gucci), my vintage Hermes Herbag PM, and my Museum of Peace & Quiet baseball cap because hey - it's summer and I try to protect my face from the sun as much as possible.
These are pieces that I plan on using all summer long. Bonus - they'll serve me well into other seasons like fall or spring. Well, maybe not so much the shorts as it gets rather cold in Canada, but I can certainly get plenty of use from them if I wear them for yoga.
While my five summer staples might look different from yours, I encourage you to shop mindfully this season and add pieces to your closet that you'll get lots of wear from and that make you feel good!
Happy shopping!
OUTFIT DETAILS
Green Sweatshirt, MUSEUM OF PEACE & QUIET, $131 (sale)
Off-White Natural Cap, MUSEUM OF PEACE & QUIET, $60 (sale)
Black Athletic Bike Shorts, ESSENTIALS, $85
Marmont Super Mini Bag in Green, GUCCI, $1555
Distressed Screener Sneakers, GUCCI, $1020
Black Herbag PM, Vintage Hermes via LXRandCo *
*Use code NATHALIEM20 to save 20% off lxr.com
Photographed by Geoff Martin
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
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New Beauty To Get Excited About
Who doesn’t love testing out new beauty products and getting a little mood lifter from a new lipstick or shampoo?
From Givenchy's new lip plumping lip balms to Sebastian Professional's Dark Oil collection - there's a little something for everyone.
Keep reading to learn more.
Givenchy Rose Perfecto Lip Balm 24H Hydration, Sephora, $45
001 Pink Irresistible - transparent pink
102 Feel Nude - cool mauve nude
037 - Rouge Grainé - sheer iconic deep red
If you're a sucker for a tinted lip balm then you'll have to try Givenchy's latest lip plumping balms. The hydrating formula comes in nine shades from transparent coral to sheer red.
Givenchy Gentleman Eau de Toilette Intense, Sephora, $95 - $129
Warm and spicy with key notes of Bergamot, Blue Iris, and Cedar Wood. Perfect for wearing every day.
Givenchy Irrésistible Eau de Parfum, Sephora, $34 - $141
Fruity and floral with key notes of Pear, Rose, and Blond Wood. Givenchy Irrésistible is feminine and addictive.
Sebastian Dark Oil Collection, Ulta, $18 - $48
The Sebastian Professional Dark Oil care line is infused with a special blend of oils, including jojoba and argan oil and is ideal for all hair types.
Sebastian Dark Oil, Ulta, $48
Product Photography by Nathalie Martin
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
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H&M Home Just Restocked Some Bestsellers. Here's What To Buy.
H&M Home is the internet’s best-kept secret. From beautiful stoneware dishes to soft linen cushion covers, they’re fully loaded with all of the home decor accessories to make your space come to life.
They often sell out fast but lucky for us, they just restocked some of their bestselling items, including that white stoneware donut vase ($35.99) that’s all over Instagram.
Below are some of my current favourite H&M Home pieces. Happy shopping!
10 Affordable H&M Home Accessories To Buy Now
Small Black Metal Candlestick, H&M Home, $12.99
Tall Metal Candlestick, H&M Home, $17.99
Linen Throw Cushion, H&M Home, $12.99
Wooden Frame, H&M Home, $17.99
Linen Throw, H&M Home, $59.99
Small Jute Basket, H&M Home, $12.99
Shell Shaped Vase, H&M Home, $34.99
Small Cotton Rug, H&M Home, $34.99
Large Ceramic Vase, H&M Home, $34.99
Photo via Pinterest
Photo via Pinterest
Photo via Pinterest
Photo via Pinterest
Photo via H&M Home
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.
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Gucci Marmont Super Mini Bag, Review + Outfit Inspo
This post is sponsored by Gucci. All photos and opinions are my own.
I'm incredibly grateful to announce that I'm collaborating with the Gucci Ouverture collection in this post.
In addition to my latest video on YouTube, I'll be sharing different looks with the gorgeous Gucci Marmont Super Mini Bag on my Instagram and Pinterest so be sure you’re following me on those platforms.
For the full Gucci unboxing and review, head over to my YouTube channel if you want to learn more.
While you're there, please be sure to give my video a thumbs up and subscribe to my YouTube channel so you don't miss any future uploads.
It's because of your support that I have the opportunity to collab with Gucci so thank you and thanks for watching!
xx,
Nathalie
OUTFIT DETAILS
Linen Blazer, Zara
Wide Leg Linen Pant, Zara
Crop T-Shirt, Zara
Marmont Super Mini Bag in Green by Gucci
Distressed Screener Sneakers by Gucci
OUTFIT DETAILS
Wool Blazer, Zara
Crop T-shirt, Zara
AGOLDE 90s Pinch Waist Jeans
Marmont Super Mini Bag in Green by Gucci
Distressed Screener Sneakers by Gucci
Photographed by Geoff Martin
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something, I will get a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t impact the price you pay. Affiliate links are just another way to monetize my blog.