Narcissistic reasons why I love the heat

 ~ Clare's Parisian Boots ~ 

Even though I was able to bypass the extreme humidity and heat last week by heading up north and going for sunset cruises, that only bought me some time. Like many of you, we are heading towards even more heat and that darn humidity in the week ahead. Our region and city (Windsor) which is located in the most southern point of Canada is actually situated below the City of Detroit, Michigan. So if you picture Canada cold all year long, think of our geographical location and you will surprisingly find we are Canada's most humid hot spot. Though Toronto beat us last Thursday with a whopping 51 Celsius (with humidex) we are still hitting triple digit temperatures this week and for the next week at least. We are breaking heat records so why am I not complaining?

Narcissistic reasons why I won't complain about the Heat

Humidity does wonders for my skin, makes it look dewy which I haven't seen for at least 20 years. 
It is actually a fine layer of perspiration but why be picky?

I can comfortably wear the Eileen Fisher gauzy linen items that I bought this season.

Hair maintenance has become non-existent, shower and and wet-slick it has become my style of choice.

What a time saver. And my husband loves it this way.

Because of slicked-back hairstyle, I wear all my summer hats more. Everywhere.

Because of said hairstyle, I wear my collection of earrings more.

 I finally have a tan this year. Not something I do on a regular basis but it makes me feel
like I am on March break. Mental perk. 

A tan means I can wear all my fun summer lipsticks in hot pink and bright orange.

Too hot, lighter dinners. A lot less cooking.


Makes me drink more water, something I forget to do.


You can lose weight just by sitting there. 

It is so hot you need nightly ice cream to cool you down.  Even Daisy gets a little bowl. 

Can't cycle during a heat advisory. Ok, that's not a good thing but I will make it up when it cools down.

My main reason? It's summer, it's supposed to be hot and that long, cold Canadian winter is just ahead. 

Put your feet up this weekend and stay cool.
A summery welcome to new readers and thank you
to readers who commented this week. Always lovely
to hear from you. 

Photo by Sande Chase ~ Percy Lake, Ontario

Lovely evenings...........with friends and twinkle lights

Maryann is my happiest friend. Always a smile, always pleasure in her voice, always looking to bring people together. And she does, each and every summer she and her husband gather us together for a annual outdoor party. A large group of lively friends, fabulous food, twinkle lights everywhere, a different table theme each year, and after dinner...............her husband's famous hummers. Which are most decadent and perfect at about 11 pm on a hot summer night. 

Maryann is a working girl so pulling together this annual feast is no small effort. She gets her ever-changing garden in order, the colour scheme picked, the menu planned, the weather tracked, the twinkle lights strung, the wine selected, the food prepared, and this year they even provided take-home containers. Nothing more perfect than having a few bites of an incredible meal the next day. 

Her delicious shrimp appetizer was a big hit this year.

Her husband Ken grilled the most incredible veal chops we ever tasted. You get these at a butcher in the Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan. Yes.............those divine potatoes are simmered in cream.

Don't you just love wonderfully gracious and happy people? 

Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Nature Girl(s)...........at Percy Lake

Just checking in to say hello from Northern Ontario and share a few relaxing pics of Daisy at my friends cottage because no one is enjoying this rustic setting more than Daisy. This group of 5 women (my friend, her 2 daughters, me and Daisy) are being exceptionally well-fed by my friend's son who is a gourmet cook, a culinary feast each and every night. My friend and her family are healing in this peaceful setting, they lost their husband and father a few months ago and being at the place where they enjoyed so many family memories is good and right.

~ Lovely Fiona with Daisy ~

We sleep in, drink morning coffee for hours, sunbathe on the dock, walk, girl chat, boat Daisy over to a stretch of beach, lake swim, eat a gourmet dinner, then boat over to the middle of the lake to watch the nightly sunset. That's it. None of us have gained weight by indulging in nightly ice cream sundaes and even if we did I don't think we would care. We also don't care about make-up, our hair, or what we wear. Nature girl(s)............times five. 

~ Snail Digging ~ 

We joke that city girl Daisy is going to need what we call "freedom re-hab" when she gets back home. She loves swimming, the no leash policy, following the girls, napping on the deck, boat rides, and digging holes at the beach, snails we think. We now call her "nature girl" and she might have a hard time adjusting to restrictions when she gets back home. Me too. 

As my good friend says " life is good at Percy Lake". And it is. Just ask Daisy. 

Photos by Sande Chase ~ A Gift Wrapped Life

Driving Miss Daisy

Daisy and I are packed and ready for our big "girly" adventure in Northern Ontario, driving away from the heat and humidity just in time. I hope to do a bit of blogging but much will depend on internet connection and my degree of relaxation. See you soon.

Have any wonderful summer plans?

Photo via Pinterest

.......... Red White (and Blue)

Happy Holiday weekend to my fellow Canadians and American neighbors!

Hope you are wearing the most stylish of summer colours.

It is the weekend for red, white (and blue).

Don't forget the hats and sunblock. And the groovy outfits.

The most gorgeous bit of nature.............a blue wren. Isn't she beautiful? It just looks like a girl to me, something in the way her brilliant feathers are fluffed! I thought she just perched perfectly in this patriotic post.

We are going to hit 113 degrees tomorrow (with humidex) so we are going to need some yummy hydration. Dog walking, golfing, and cycling will have to take place very early in the day. We have had the most incredibly perfect weather the past week but our geographical humidity is bound to get sticky and stay that way. Speaking of good drinks............have your tried Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita (ready to serve no less)? Going down a bit too easy I might add.

Too hot for satin, but this would be my choice of a patriotic ensemble if I got the opportunity

to wear red and white. I adore this outfit. Make that covet this outfit.

Enjoy the weekend! 

Will be back to my regular blogging schedule very soon (I promise) with a exciting new feature I think you will enjoy. 

images via Pinterest

Glam Mondays - Simple Summer

Photo by Lisa Cohen Photography

There's my biggest weakness, right there in her hands.

I love, crave, and sneak way too much ice cream.

Just a bit now and then, nobody knows this but you.

This Missoni scarf worn with white or natural linen..... just so beautiful, don't you agree?

Photo by Chris Everard

Summer is coming and a relaxed mood is ahead. Is there a better time to take a gorgeous outdoor bath? Of course this isn't going to happen, that's why we need wonderful stylists and talented photographers to make these visual fantasies so captivating. We would like to think we could. And those silk damask drapes!

No one does summer better than Kate Spade. This Hulu Ida purse makes

me want to do the Hulu Hoop just one more time.

A simple black sheath. Matching lipstick. Hair pulled back into a chignon. And maybe just a hint of a tan? These earrings from Jose & Maria Barrera are summer sexy.

Two beach colours in one, how clever of Kate Spade. How good would this look with
my coral lipstick?

I know who got me diving into summer a bit ahead of schedule. It was Judith at Paris Atelier with her fun sun umbrella post last week. It is a short season, might as well start enjoying it now. Photo from My Vintage Vogue via Paris Atelier.

Something about this filmy top just speaks to me and I'm not one for loud pattern. It looks like it would be cool and comfy. I would love this Emillio Pucci top with narrow black pants, a great pair of metallic shoes (and a great coral lipstick) this summer. Truthfully, it would also cover all the right places. Polyvore.

Summer rides to the county are a given in our area, it's where we have the best produce markets along the roads. I can't get over how much this model looks like my mom way back when. I will have to show this to my dad. Photo image from Vogue ~ Karen Radkai.

The tomato capital of Canada is Leamington, Ontario. A beautiful small town along Lake Erie where the Heinz head office is located and only about 30 minutes away. We are located in the most southern point of Canada so the region has a well-established wine region as well. The southern climate is perfect for producing delicious tomatoes and vino. They now have miles and miles of greenhouses, but many regional farmers still grow tomatoes the old way too. I love toasted tomato sandwiches all summer long. I just use Weight Watcher bread and low-cal mayonnaise. It's still delicious. Photo from Cooking Light via Southern Accents.

We have wonderful asparagus farms in our area, everyone waits for the fresh asparagus which we are enjoying right now. I like them oven-roasted best with shaved Parmesan as soon as they come out of the oven. Photo by Alison Harris.

A Pile of Blueberries by Broomhill Pictures at Etsy.

Berry pies to make all summer long. What's the treat on your list?
Remember, I told you mine! Photo by Donna Griffith.

Summer entertaining can be effortless and simple. So can the little produce treats you send home with your guests. Image from Martha Stewart.

All the fresh flavours of summer in a Mango & Radicchio Caprese Salad with a Basil Vinaigrette. Looks so colourful and yummy. I found it at Epicirious, click here to download the recipe.

Photo copyright by Aran Goyoaga ~ Cannelle et Vanille

The best treats for last! Gourmet Ice Creams Treats for everybody. I am in love with the desserts and photography at food blog Cannelle et Vanille. It's a new blog (for me anyways, she is quite popular) that I finally browsed on the weekend and you will adore her well-balanced palette. Click here for the recipe for Sweet Plums and Savory Tarragon Ice Cream. Sweet and Savory, how luscious. The recipes and the blog.

Copyright Image of Aran Goyoaga ~ Cannelle et Vanille

Click here for Aran's recipe for Triple Chocolate Fudge Cookie & Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches. This is food styling at it's best, love how she wraps up these cool sandwiches.

Photo by Daniel Farmer


The perfect ending to a simple summer day.