Prada Resort Bags

During my visit to London last Spring, I saw these Prada bags from the Summer/Resort collection. These bags just came out from the Selfridges Department Store on Oxford St in London. The bags are made from thick fabric material combined with leather in different colours like brown and blue. The interior of the bag is in leather which strengthens the exterior fabric material. I imagine these bags to be perfect to bring to the beach or to any island destination during the summer. Unfortunately, I never saw these bags here in Toronto. They were easily sold out in the Prada website too. But at least for now here are some style inspiration from Prada.

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Weekend Brunch At Niagara On The Lake

 Last long weekend, we had brunch at the Pillar and Post, in Niagara On The Lake, west of Toronto. It was a sunny and hot Sunday which was perfect for an out of town trip. Brunch at the Pillar and Post is our favourite in the area because their brunch buffet offer a wide choice of  fresh dishes from salads, hors d'oeuvres, large cold shrimps, smoked salmon,  charcuterie with a variety of cheeses, cooked hot dishes like bacon, sausages, pasta, salmon and Cornish hen. There is also a dessert table offering a variety of cakes, pastries, waffles and fruits. There is even a separate stand to have your choice of omelet cooked by the chef.  Then the drinks on offer are mimosas, variety of wine from the area, fresh juices and of course coffee and tea. The Pillar and Post also have a very nice interior and swimming pool which I previously featured on my Blog post. For new visitors to Niagara On The Lake, the best way to see the town is to walk around but if you prefer a more extensive tour, a horse carriage ride will be a fun way to see the town.  A new fun way to enjoy the town is to join the Niagara Wine Tours offered at all Vintage Hotels to see the various wineries around the area. Visiting Niagara On The Lake is a fun way to spend the weekend as one can enjoy all the cuisine, the wines and even go shopping around the town.

I had iced tea and enjoyed the fresh salad with raspberry dressing, cold shrimps and smoked salmon.

 Cucumber with cream cheese.

 Dessert table.

My favourite here is the top cake, chocolate chip banana cake. The middle cake is Red Velvet cake and the chef will make your own waffles. 

 

 Besides the wineries, Niagara On The Lake is famous for their Peaches. They make them as jams and even as scones. 

 

 

 Niagara On The Lake is a garden and flower town with lots of flowers in bloom all around. 

 

 

 Whether walking or a horse carriage ride, it is fun to visit Niagara On The Lake. 

A trolley ride for the Niagara Wine Tours to see the wineries around the area. 

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Summer Swim Time

Lately, we have been experiencing a heat wave here in Toronto. We can't complain as we welcome the sun and the heat in this mid-summer season. One perfect way to enjoy the heat is to go swimming at the new swimming pools at the Petticoat Creek Conservation Park in Pickering, east of Toronto. I was most impressed that the park have 3 pools and 1 splash area for kids and adults alike. Then the whole park also have hiking trails all the way to Lake Ontario and there are picnic areas all around. I also found some inspiring photos on Instagram of people and places to enjoy the summer's heat and sun around the pool. So where ever you are, enjoy the summer heat and sun while it last. 

 

 One of the Instagram I follow is french stylist and author, Caroline De Maigret.

A natural salt water pool in Salento, Italy from the Instagram post of LePostcard.

A lava pool in Porto Moniz at Madeira, Portugal from LePostcard.

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Canadian Summer At Lake Muskoka

Here are my top 5 reasons why Lake Muskoka,  a two hours drive north of Toronto, is my favourite summer destination here at home. Lake Muskoka in Gravenhurst is one of the big lakes here in the Muskoka region which is famous for clean, fresh water lakes, gorgeous and vast Canadian wilderness, huge granite rocks islands and the traditional Canadian cottages. Every summer, I prefer to stay home, than travel overseas because this is the only season that we can truly enjoy the outdoors here in Canada. We usually come here to swim, eat, go shopping  and relax with this great view of the lake. Usually there is a breeze of fresh air which is truly relaxing. Every summer there are numerous events in every town in the region. Last weekend, we attended the Ribfest which was a festival of  the best barbecue ribs and chicken from all over Canada and USA.  Muskoka was also named by National Geographic magazine as one of the Best In The World, great places to experience. As the motto of the region says, once discovered, never forgotten. 

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Sparkle Summer Sandals

These crystal studded sandals from J Crew are so gorgeous and perfect to wear this summer. They are easy to slip on sandals made with clear plastic and crystals that will not be so painful on our feet. These sandals will be gorgeous to wear on the beach and to any summer party in town. They are so elegant and classy to wear with anything from shorts, skirts and summer dress. J Crew described these sandals as basically jewelry for your feet. It's a touch of style and elegance for this summer season. 

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Summer @ The ROM

 Besides shopping at Bloor-Yorkville, one of the best things to do during the summer is to see the latest exhibitions at the Royal Ontario Museum. Every season, the museum present interesting and educational exhibitions from other countries. For this summer, the ROM presents Pompeii: In The Shadow Of The Volcano which showcase the story of the eruption of Mt Vesuvius over 1,900 years ago and its victims. In the spirit of the Pan Am Games here in Toronto and for PANAMANIA, which is a celebration of the diverse arts and cultures of all of the countries participating, there is VIVA Mexico!  This exhibit shows the clothing and culture of Mexico. It's a fun time visiting the museum during this time. Then afterwards, we all had a dim sum lunch at Dynasty Chinese Yorkville to fill our empty stomachs. We definitely had a whirlwind tour of the world here from Pompeii to Mexican fashion to Chinese dim sum. This is a part of Toronto that is cultural, fashionable and so diverse. 

 

 

 Map of Italy that shows the major volcanoes around the country. 

 The victims were discovered around the 1950s. The famous dog here with his bronze collar trying to avoid the heat but no one escaped this tragedy. From animals to human, fell victim to the power and might of the volcano eruption. 

Paintings of the wealthy residents of Pompeii. The bread and olives here were found in a house was covered in ash and turned black. Now these are hard as stone. 

 

 ROM also participated to celebrate PANAMANIA.

 

Cantonese chow mein fried noodles with seafood and vegetables and some Dim sum at Dynasty Chinese Yorkville.

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