Do you want to live a similar life to Gwyneth Paltrow? Or want to know what she is up too? Well you are in luck, my girl friends introduced me to "Goop".
Goop is a weekly newsletter created by Gwyneth Paltrow. In this newsletter, Gwyneth shares her recipes, interesting products she comes across, recommends books to read and also gives advice on health, beauty and life in general.
I am curious why this newsletter is called "Goop" but then I remembered she is the one who called her children "Apple" and "Moses" - not your most common names.
Goop, if not inspirational, is definitely an entertaining read. I would recommend subscribing to this if you are interested in the lifestyle of Gwyneth Paltrow or just curious what the rich and famous do in their spare time.
Check out her website: http://www.goop.com/ and let me know your thoughts on it.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Calabogie Peaks
The weather is getting colder and that means it's going to start snowing soon. When there is snow, ski season is right around the corner!!
My family and I have been skiing at Calabogie Peaks www.calabogie.com/pages/winter-fun.php for the past few years. Before we had kids we religiously skied at Mont Ste Marie and granted we had a great time there. Now with two kids, we wanted to ski at a smaller hill and found Calabogie Peaks "fit the bill".
This is an awesome hill to start your child skiing because they have a magic carpet ski lift on the beginner hill. The magic carpet lift is like a conveyor belt that you step onto and it slides you up the hill. It is the least threatening type of ski lift out there and is key to teaching your child to ski without frightening them or straining your back. Because of the easiness of the magic carpet, we were able to start our children skiing a lot earlier, our daughter was 2 years old and our son was 17 months.
Calabogie Peaks also has an excellent snow school program. I highly recommend that if your children are beginners, register them for the "ski wees" program - it's taught on the magic carpet hill. Both of our kids have been through "ski wees" and we found it taught them the basics of downhill skiing but also taught them to be independent skiers - like how to use the magic carpet by themselves, how to put your skis on and how to take them off - all things that make life easier for parents on the hill.
Calabogie Peaks also has a great recreational racing program too - its called "Snow Stars". Our 6 year old daughter is in the "Snow Star" racing program and had a blast in it last year. We are hoping to introduce our 4 year old son to downhill ski racing too, we just have to see if he can keep up with the 6 year olds.
There is a competitive racing program for older children, I've heard good things about it but unfortunately I'm not too familiar with it.
Don't despair adults about skiing at a smaller hill, Calabogie Peaks is surprisingly challenging and has lots of different hills to ski on. There is also a great bar in the main lodge that we tend to hang out in for lunch and a for few apres ski drinks. They also provide live music on Saturdays, which is entertaining for kids and adults.
For accommodations, there are lots of chalets to rent in the area or you can always stay at the hotel right next door http://www.calabogie.com/pages/resort-accommodations.php. However, Calabogie Peaks is close enough to Ottawa, that you can drive up for the day (about an hours drive).
If you are planning on skiing at Calabogie Peaks this year, don't wait to buy your season pass - they have a sale on now until October 31st.
Check out some video I took of our kids skiing at Calabogie Peaks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-osMg-T6cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=815KiVI_zs4&feature=related.
My family and I have been skiing at Calabogie Peaks www.calabogie.com/pages/winter-fun.php for the past few years. Before we had kids we religiously skied at Mont Ste Marie and granted we had a great time there. Now with two kids, we wanted to ski at a smaller hill and found Calabogie Peaks "fit the bill".
This is an awesome hill to start your child skiing because they have a magic carpet ski lift on the beginner hill. The magic carpet lift is like a conveyor belt that you step onto and it slides you up the hill. It is the least threatening type of ski lift out there and is key to teaching your child to ski without frightening them or straining your back. Because of the easiness of the magic carpet, we were able to start our children skiing a lot earlier, our daughter was 2 years old and our son was 17 months.
Calabogie Peaks also has an excellent snow school program. I highly recommend that if your children are beginners, register them for the "ski wees" program - it's taught on the magic carpet hill. Both of our kids have been through "ski wees" and we found it taught them the basics of downhill skiing but also taught them to be independent skiers - like how to use the magic carpet by themselves, how to put your skis on and how to take them off - all things that make life easier for parents on the hill.
Calabogie Peaks also has a great recreational racing program too - its called "Snow Stars". Our 6 year old daughter is in the "Snow Star" racing program and had a blast in it last year. We are hoping to introduce our 4 year old son to downhill ski racing too, we just have to see if he can keep up with the 6 year olds.
There is a competitive racing program for older children, I've heard good things about it but unfortunately I'm not too familiar with it.
Don't despair adults about skiing at a smaller hill, Calabogie Peaks is surprisingly challenging and has lots of different hills to ski on. There is also a great bar in the main lodge that we tend to hang out in for lunch and a for few apres ski drinks. They also provide live music on Saturdays, which is entertaining for kids and adults.
For accommodations, there are lots of chalets to rent in the area or you can always stay at the hotel right next door http://www.calabogie.com/pages/resort-accommodations.php. However, Calabogie Peaks is close enough to Ottawa, that you can drive up for the day (about an hours drive).
If you are planning on skiing at Calabogie Peaks this year, don't wait to buy your season pass - they have a sale on now until October 31st.
Check out some video I took of our kids skiing at Calabogie Peaks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-osMg-T6cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=815KiVI_zs4&feature=related.
Monday, October 25, 2010
4Cats for Birthday Parties
4Cats Art Studio http://www.4cats.com/ recently opened in Hintonburg on Wellington. 4Cats is a franchise art studio geared towards kids and teens with a variety of art themed programs and camps. One thing I didn't know is that they also host birthday parties.
My 6 year old daughter was invited to her friends "Paint Splatter" themed birthday party at 4Cats on Saturday. This was one of the 6 different art themed parties they have. The party runs for an hour and 45 minutes and within that time they created a masterpiece, had a parent supplied snack and cake and then opened presents. Creating the masterpiece I was told was a "great" time. All the girls got to splatter paint on a canvas. The splattering experience involved spraying paint with paint brushes, throwing "paint" balloons and squirting syringes filled with paint.
I must let you know, I highly recommend that you read the birthday party invitation supplied from 4Cats. I just read what time the party started at but skipped over the other details, particularly the one that said "Please wear really old clothes and shoes. Things get messy!". My daughter was wearing her normal dressy birthday party attire. 4Cats did supply her with an old t-shirt but with paint being sprayed everywhere, she still managed to be covered in paint. Her black boots, dress and tights were covered in a rainbow spray of paint, she had paint all over her face and my favourite; she had a pink streak of paint in her hair. Luckily the paint washed off, so Mom and kid were happy.
My 6 year old daughter was invited to her friends "Paint Splatter" themed birthday party at 4Cats on Saturday. This was one of the 6 different art themed parties they have. The party runs for an hour and 45 minutes and within that time they created a masterpiece, had a parent supplied snack and cake and then opened presents. Creating the masterpiece I was told was a "great" time. All the girls got to splatter paint on a canvas. The splattering experience involved spraying paint with paint brushes, throwing "paint" balloons and squirting syringes filled with paint.
I must let you know, I highly recommend that you read the birthday party invitation supplied from 4Cats. I just read what time the party started at but skipped over the other details, particularly the one that said "Please wear really old clothes and shoes. Things get messy!". My daughter was wearing her normal dressy birthday party attire. 4Cats did supply her with an old t-shirt but with paint being sprayed everywhere, she still managed to be covered in paint. Her black boots, dress and tights were covered in a rainbow spray of paint, she had paint all over her face and my favourite; she had a pink streak of paint in her hair. Luckily the paint washed off, so Mom and kid were happy.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Local Tea Shops
'Never trust a tea drinker' is what I say - this is coming from a latte drinker. Okay jokes aside, I do enjoy the occasional tea but I'm not sure who is going to be drinking so much tea in our neighbourhood since we will soon have 4 tea shops in the 'hood.
The oldest tea shop in the area is Nectar Fine Teas on Wellington. I have been there to buy loose leaf teas for a gift but I'm not what you call a regular customer. I however have been tempted to try out their Devonshire cream tea. This is tea served with Devonshire cream (made from clotted cream), jam and fresh warm scones. The last time I had this was in England and it was delicious.
If you have seen the aqua and white take away cups in the neighbourhood, they are coming from the newest tea shop called Davids Tea www.davidstea.com on Richmond. You can find a Davids Tea shops all across Canada and rumour has it that the owner is a veteran of Westboro and that is why he opened one here. I went to check them out and it was very reminiscent of Starbucks but they serve tea. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable on their tea selection. The only thing I didn't like about it, is that they let you smell the canister of tea leaves before you try it. I'm all for smelling tea leaves, however everyone sticks their nose in these canisters and I'm not sure how hygienic this is. I just have a vivid imagination and I just think what if someone has a runny nose and sticks their nose in that canister and then they make you tea from those leaves. Call me crazy, but that grosses me out.
The other tea shop is The World of Tea across from Mrs Twiggy Winkles on Richmond. Now if you are a tea snob you will love this tea shop. They sell loose leaf teas and as the owner says, these are pure tea leaves not mixed with anything. If you have time on your hands, the owner is happy to make you a tea sample of his tea of the day or you can go to his beautiful wooden tea sample table to try a selection of teas. You can't be in a hurry at this place, as the owner says, tea takes time to make. With that being said, there is no take away brewed tea at this place, but in the future, you will be able to enjoy tea and pastries in store. I did go in there for a take away tea, so I had to settle for a tea sample; it was chrysanthemum tea. As the owner said, these are special chrysanthemums, they are closed flowers not like the open chrysanthemums they sell in other stores. All in all, it tasted like chamomile tea to me.
Now rumour has it, that we are getting a fourth tea shop right beside Mountain Equipment Coop. Currently there is an open space (formerly a framing store) but soon a building will be erected and one of the newest inhabitants will be Tea Store www.teastore.ca. You may recognize them from their store in the Byward Market. They are very popular in the Byward Market and I'm sure they will do quite well here. Looking forward to them opening.
My question is, will all the neighbourhood tea shops survive the year? Time will tell.
The oldest tea shop in the area is Nectar Fine Teas on Wellington. I have been there to buy loose leaf teas for a gift but I'm not what you call a regular customer. I however have been tempted to try out their Devonshire cream tea. This is tea served with Devonshire cream (made from clotted cream), jam and fresh warm scones. The last time I had this was in England and it was delicious.
If you have seen the aqua and white take away cups in the neighbourhood, they are coming from the newest tea shop called Davids Tea www.davidstea.com on Richmond. You can find a Davids Tea shops all across Canada and rumour has it that the owner is a veteran of Westboro and that is why he opened one here. I went to check them out and it was very reminiscent of Starbucks but they serve tea. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable on their tea selection. The only thing I didn't like about it, is that they let you smell the canister of tea leaves before you try it. I'm all for smelling tea leaves, however everyone sticks their nose in these canisters and I'm not sure how hygienic this is. I just have a vivid imagination and I just think what if someone has a runny nose and sticks their nose in that canister and then they make you tea from those leaves. Call me crazy, but that grosses me out.
The other tea shop is The World of Tea across from Mrs Twiggy Winkles on Richmond. Now if you are a tea snob you will love this tea shop. They sell loose leaf teas and as the owner says, these are pure tea leaves not mixed with anything. If you have time on your hands, the owner is happy to make you a tea sample of his tea of the day or you can go to his beautiful wooden tea sample table to try a selection of teas. You can't be in a hurry at this place, as the owner says, tea takes time to make. With that being said, there is no take away brewed tea at this place, but in the future, you will be able to enjoy tea and pastries in store. I did go in there for a take away tea, so I had to settle for a tea sample; it was chrysanthemum tea. As the owner said, these are special chrysanthemums, they are closed flowers not like the open chrysanthemums they sell in other stores. All in all, it tasted like chamomile tea to me.
Now rumour has it, that we are getting a fourth tea shop right beside Mountain Equipment Coop. Currently there is an open space (formerly a framing store) but soon a building will be erected and one of the newest inhabitants will be Tea Store www.teastore.ca. You may recognize them from their store in the Byward Market. They are very popular in the Byward Market and I'm sure they will do quite well here. Looking forward to them opening.
My question is, will all the neighbourhood tea shops survive the year? Time will tell.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Groupons
Groupons: if you haven't heard of them, you are probably wandering what they are. It's a daily notification that you receive through email, Facebook or Twitter that alerts you of a deal or coupon for an Ottawa local business. I registered for Groupons and have been receiving quite a few great deals.
Some specific deals I have seen are 50% off admission for Saunders Farm Halloween celebration www.saundersfarm.com and 60% off the price for two weeks of unlimited Yoga classes at Westboro's Metta Massage and Yoga Clinic www.mettamassage.com. Some other deals included 50% off laser hair removal, pedicures and one deal I missed was 50% off at The Gap http://www.gap.com/.
Check out their website to register: www.groupon.com/ottawa. I should add it's FREE!
Let me know if you have registered for any other sites that notify you of deals in Ottawa.
Some specific deals I have seen are 50% off admission for Saunders Farm Halloween celebration www.saundersfarm.com and 60% off the price for two weeks of unlimited Yoga classes at Westboro's Metta Massage and Yoga Clinic www.mettamassage.com. Some other deals included 50% off laser hair removal, pedicures and one deal I missed was 50% off at The Gap http://www.gap.com/.
Check out their website to register: www.groupon.com/ottawa. I should add it's FREE!
Let me know if you have registered for any other sites that notify you of deals in Ottawa.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
I want a Latte!
I like to start my morning off with a large skim milk latte or should I say "non-fat grande latte" or was that a "skinny" latte. What I'm trying to say is I need a latte in the morning and our neighbourhood is an excellent place to get one. On Wellington, we have the locally run fairly traded/organic cafe Bridgehead http://www.bridgehead.ca/ and further down on Richmond we have two more Bridgeheads and the famous Starbucks http://www.starbucks.ca/. I hate to say this I do love the lattes at Starbucks, however I prefer the atmosphere of Bridgehead and what they stand for.
Surprising to some, there are a few other places in the neighbourhood that serve lattes and are quite good. If you want to avoid the strollers, housewives, Starbucks lingo and wifi surfers, try some of these places for a latte: Ottawa Bagelshop http://www.bagelshop.ca/, Nicastro's on Wellington and Truffle Treasures http://www.truffletreasures.com/. You may not get fast service like in a traditional cafe but it is worth experimenting and trying a different coffee bean. The Ottawa Bagelshop usually serves their lattes with a cookie, Nicastro's serves Italian style lattes and the great thing about Truffle Treasures, you can pair your latte with one of their mouthwatering truffles - yum ... chocolate and coffee.
Do you know of any other places in the neighbourhood that serve lattes?
Who serves the best latte?
Surprising to some, there are a few other places in the neighbourhood that serve lattes and are quite good. If you want to avoid the strollers, housewives, Starbucks lingo and wifi surfers, try some of these places for a latte: Ottawa Bagelshop http://www.bagelshop.ca/, Nicastro's on Wellington and Truffle Treasures http://www.truffletreasures.com/. You may not get fast service like in a traditional cafe but it is worth experimenting and trying a different coffee bean. The Ottawa Bagelshop usually serves their lattes with a cookie, Nicastro's serves Italian style lattes and the great thing about Truffle Treasures, you can pair your latte with one of their mouthwatering truffles - yum ... chocolate and coffee.
Do you know of any other places in the neighbourhood that serve lattes?
Who serves the best latte?
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Wellington Gastropub
When I want to go out for a wonderful dinner experience and leave the kids at home, my favourite restaurant in the neighbourhood or rather in all of Ottawa is The Wellington Gastropub http://www.thewellingtongastropub.com/. This is definitely not a restaruant you want to bring the kids to; it's more of a place you want to enjoy with your partner or a group of friends.
First off ,the staff is incredible and are just really cool people. They are professional, very educated on the menu and wines and make you feel comfortable and relaxed. Now the food is also fantastic, they have a very eclectic, yummy menu. I would love to suggest a menu item but they change the menu frequently. I'll just say this, I have never ordered anything there that I didn't like.
If you are planning on going there, don't forget to make a reservation. If you don't and you still want to go, they sometimes have room at the bar and it's fun eating there because watching the bartender make drinks can be surprisingly entertaining.
Let me know if you checked out The Wellington Gastropub and what your experience was.
First off ,the staff is incredible and are just really cool people. They are professional, very educated on the menu and wines and make you feel comfortable and relaxed. Now the food is also fantastic, they have a very eclectic, yummy menu. I would love to suggest a menu item but they change the menu frequently. I'll just say this, I have never ordered anything there that I didn't like.
If you are planning on going there, don't forget to make a reservation. If you don't and you still want to go, they sometimes have room at the bar and it's fun eating there because watching the bartender make drinks can be surprisingly entertaining.
Let me know if you checked out The Wellington Gastropub and what your experience was.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Agave Grill
One weakness I have is that I love going out for dinner, but taking the kids with you can be a bit of a 'circus act'. There is one place in the 'hood' that makes it easier to enjoy a meal out, it's the Mexican restaurant Agave Grill on Wellington: http://www.agaveottawa.ca/. The staff is friendly and accommodating, the food comes out quick so your kids don't get impatient and they have a good food selection for them too. For the adults, they make a 'mean' margarita, I always order the Agave Special Salad and my husband usually gets the Mexican Flag.
I should also mention, they have a private room in the basement which was perfect for a meeting I had with the nursery school board and for a dinner out with a group of our friends with all of our kids.
Do you have a favourite, family friendly restaurant on Wellington or in Westboro that you recommend? Post your comments and let us know.
I should also mention, they have a private room in the basement which was perfect for a meeting I had with the nursery school board and for a dinner out with a group of our friends with all of our kids.
Do you have a favourite, family friendly restaurant on Wellington or in Westboro that you recommend? Post your comments and let us know.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Hair Committee: Kids' Haircuts
Where is the best place in Westboro or Wellington West to get a great kids haircut?
I'm always nervous taking my kids into a new salon for a hair cut. I have had some bad experiences with some hair dressers because they either cut too much off or just butchered my kids hair. One of my friends recommended the Hair Committee (613-761-9668) on Wellington across from Bridgehead and to ask for Nicole. Well I was nervous going in with my children but she was amazing. She had a great rapport with the kids, she listened to what I suggested for their cuts and she would inform me if she was going to try something different before she cut their hair. She gave an excellent haircut and my kids looked beautiful. I would definitely go back to her.
I'm always nervous taking my kids into a new salon for a hair cut. I have had some bad experiences with some hair dressers because they either cut too much off or just butchered my kids hair. One of my friends recommended the Hair Committee (613-761-9668) on Wellington across from Bridgehead and to ask for Nicole. Well I was nervous going in with my children but she was amazing. She had a great rapport with the kids, she listened to what I suggested for their cuts and she would inform me if she was going to try something different before she cut their hair. She gave an excellent haircut and my kids looked beautiful. I would definitely go back to her.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Fluevog Has Arrived
Finally Fluevog shoes has arrived in Ottawa! No more trips to Montreal or Toronto to shop for Fluevog, we can now just shop around the corner at Solea on Carling http://www.solea.ca/. I haven't had time to check out the selection but I hope it's good.
If you are not familiar with Fluevog, they are some of the most unique, cool, comfortable shoes/boots out there. Here is their website: http://www.fluevog.com/.
If you are not familiar with Fluevog, they are some of the most unique, cool, comfortable shoes/boots out there. Here is their website: http://www.fluevog.com/.
Oresta's Organic Lip Gloss: Love it!!!
A staple in any women's purse is this fantastic organic lip gloss created right here in Ottawa: Oresta LipKiss.
I just purchased this perfect fall colour lip gloss called "Twisted Kiss". You can order it online at http://www.oresta.ca/ (http://oresta.myshopify.com/products/orestas-lipkiss-lip-glosses) or check them out at Oresta's located in the Glebe on O'Connor or in Hintonburg on Wellington.
I just purchased this perfect fall colour lip gloss called "Twisted Kiss". You can order it online at http://www.oresta.ca/ (http://oresta.myshopify.com/products/orestas-lipkiss-lip-glosses) or check them out at Oresta's located in the Glebe on O'Connor or in Hintonburg on Wellington.
Welcome
I'm a housewife in Ottawa's Wellington West Village and will be informing you of the latest and greatest events, gossip and goods in my area including Westboro. I will also include some of my personal tastes and comments ranging from my favourite TV shows, stars, clothes, makeup, coffee and food.
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