Blues & Whites

My recent trip to Nova Scotia has stirred my obsession with all things nautical. 
Here's a few things I'm lusting for, in blue & white:

Cobalt blue wine glasses. 

This dress. 

This iphone case (I love anything monogrammed). 

This Daniel Wellington watch. 

These bowls. 

This cozy bedroom. 

This dinnerware. 

Farewell, Nova Scotia!

My last day in Nova Scotia started a little, erm...... behind schedule. 

After dinner last night at The Bicycle Thief, Hannah, Jimmy and I hit the town. 

Halifax has an incredible nightlife. We danced and sang the night away, until we could dance and sing no more. 

Stereotypically, Maritimers are friendly. They actually are!! I met so many welcoming people, wanting to show me a good time. 

And a good time I had, indeed.

So after a slightly sluggish start to the day, Hannah and I put on our newly purchased dresses, and took a stroll around Point Pleasant Park with Jimmy. 

Then we were off to Fort George, the fortified summit of Citadel Hill. First established in 1749, its purpose was to protect the Protestant settlers against raids from the French. Today, it is a National Historic Site of Canada, and a great spot to look out over the city of Halifax. Check out dem views. 

In every single souvenir shop I went into, I kept seeing the same postcard. It was a photo of a row of brightly coloured houses, all with tall peaks. Kind of like this: 

I was obsessed with finding them. The houses were so quintessentially "Halifax", I fell in love. And they matched the print in my new dress!!!!! We were on the hunt. I had given up all hope, until this happened:

 We found them!!!! A true Halifax miracle. 

(Purple is coincidentally my favourite colour.)

I had the best time in Nova Scotia. It is a seriously under rated province. If you love all things nautical, but still like being in the city, add Halifax to your list. The seafood, the views, the night life, the people... everything was top notch. I'm so glad I bought the plane tickets, and just went for it. 

There's a quote I've seen floating around the internet:

Without getting too nostalgic, I couldn't agree more!!! I'm gonna tinker with shit and be selfish while I still can. #word.

If you do decide to go visit Nova Scotia, here's a few tips:

• Maritimers (people who live in Eastern Canada, i.e. Nova Scotia, P.E.I. or New Brunswick) have a unique way of speaking. Figure out the local dialogue here. 

• Want to impress Nova Scotians while out at the bar? Learn the words to this song and become familiar with this band. 

• Ever heard of a donair? Neither had I, but you should probably eat one. 

P.S. Our last night in town, we went to a bar called the Lower Deck. Apparently it is always bumpin on Sunday nights, the place was packed! I'd suggest getting there early, we showed up at 10:30 and it was already at capacity. We sat at long wooden tables with benches, drinking Keith's (the local beer) and singing along with the band. One highlight, was Hannah getting her picture taken with Chris Neil, an NHL player from the Ottawa Sens. #celebsighting

  

Nova Scotia Day 4

Welcome to Halifax! 

Our day began with a 4 hour drive from Hannah's cottage in Cape George, Nova Scotia. We picked up our car for the weekend, and we were off to the big city.
Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and the biggest urban area in Atlantic Canada. I was DYING to get there. I love all things nautical, and Halifax seemed right up my alley. Do you ever get a feeling that you're going to fall in love with a city? That's how I felt about Halifax. I couldn't wait to meet her. 
We started at the Halifax Farmers' Market.

I love markets!!! 
Also check out this guy's t-shirt. I didn't notice it until I was uploading my photos. Lol. 

The place was buzzing with locals buying fresh produce and cheeses, and tourists just trying to find their way around. As usual, I took waaaaaay too many photos. 

The market had everything. Preserves, fresh seafood, baked goods, arts & crafts... heaven. 

Hannah bought a local cheese, called Dragon's Breath... 

While I obsessed over some artwork by a local artist named Leanne Bjerke. 

She uses shells, canvas, driftwood, and barn boards to create artwork inspired by coastal living. I fell in love with the simple, teal coloured piece in the bottom left hand corner. 

Hannah's favourite craftsman, was a fellow who made exquisitely beautiful cutting boards and bowls from pieces of wood.

One bowl is made of ~70 different pieces. None of the wood is dyed, it all shines in its natural colours.

#impressed. 

After a while our tummies started rumbling, so we were off to lunch on the harbour front. 

And then quickly back up on our feet to do what we do best, SHOP!

Hannah's friend, Victoria, used to work at a jewellery shop called House of Moda. 

It was full of big, bright, dangly earrings, and chunky necklaces. 

My favourites were the bright bangles, and the stretchy charm bracelets. If you'd like to take a look, you can find them online here. 

The last shop we went to, was an adorable boutique called Sweet Pea. 

The change rooms had theeeeee PRETTIEST stained glass windows.

I fell in love with this little number. The print!!!!! So cute!!!! I can't wait to show her off around the town tomorrow. 

With a bit of time to kill before our dinner reservation, Hannah and I wandered around the Public Gardens, and took a stroll out onto the boardwalk. Halifax is GORGEOUS. I honestly can't recommend visiting this city enough. It's a big city, with a small town nautical vibe. There's something about coastal cities I really love. It exceeded all of my expectations. 

For dinner, we met our friend Jimmy, at a restaurant called The Bicycle Thief. 

I don't know about you, but I love me a restaurant with a theme. Now wait a second!!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about the Rainforest Cafe, Medieval Times, or something tacky like that. No no no. Just something simple and subdued, almost muted, but still able to tie the dining experience together. For me, the atmosphere at a restaurant is just as important as the food.  

The Bicycle Thief #nailedit. 

The dinnerware was absolutely gorgeous. Little "bicycle thieves" popped up all over the place. Genius.

I was also obsessed with the blue glasses. Me wants some of these, badly! Anyone know where I can find some? 

To start, Hannah and I shared the Tuna Tartare with avocado, sesame cucumber spaghetti, and pickled ginger wasabi cream. 

For a main, I had the roasted Beef Short Ribs, soft Polenta, and sautéed wild mushrooms. 

Let it be known: these beef short ribs are not the most photogenic dish on the planet, but they were DELICIOUS. The meat fell right off the bone. The polenta was a perfect side kick. I think I could eat this every day for the rest of my life. 

We were all too full for dessert, but the menu looked incredible. If you're ever in Halifax, you must promise me you will eat here. I would make a reservation a couple days in advance, we called the morning of, and had to take an earlier table.

P.S. Apparently, there was at one time a bicycle on display at the front of the restaurant. 

It was stolen. 

Sad, or funny? You decide.