La Bottega

Do really good sandwiches make YOU happy???? 

Really good sandwiches make ME happy. Just look at me! Pure joy.

Want to eat a really good sandwich, and be happy like me??? Of course you do!!!   

Then you should check out La Bottega, an Italian fine foods and deli shop, located in Ottawa's Byward Market.   

La Bottega has a special place in my heart. It was the first restaurant I "discovered" when I moved to Ottawa for party time medical school. 

Although I didn't exactly "discover" it - the shop is a local favourite and is almost always busy. Prepare to wait in line at lunch time or on the weekends... but trust me, it will be worth it. 

I could spend hours roaming up and down the aisles, checking out all of the goodies. Filled with fresh pastas, breads, Italian desserts, specialty olive oils....

And CHEESE!! Did I mention cheese?? Check out this big boy.  

There's also a fantastic antipasto bar. Chock-full of a variety of olives, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes... om nom nom. 

But the real reason we're here, is for a tasty sandwich of happiness. For that, you'll want to head on down to the back of the shop, and make your way to the deli counter. For just under $6, you can choose whatever bread, meat, cheese & toppings you like, to create your very own sandwich masterpiece. 

Here's mine. I went with turkey and salami, mozzarella and ALL the fixin's. It was so heavy, I could barely hold it with one hand. 

For dessert, we grabbed some chocolate chip biscotti on the way out. I'm not normally a huge fan of biscotti, too dry. But this was delizioso! (inserting my limited Italian vocabulary where I can). I've never had biscotti so good. It was soft and moist, with the perfect amount of chocolate.

It was a gorgeous, sun-shiny day in Ottawa, so we headed across the street and grabbed an outdoor table in the Market. 

Meaty, perfection! 

Sandwich heaven. 

There really is no "elegant" way to eat a sandwich. You just have to dive right in.  

Can't be afraid to get a little messy. 

Just don't forget to grab some napkins.

BUON APPETITO! 

Little White Dress

Somewhere, someone wrote the rule that all women should have a little black dress. 

Well I'm a rule breaker baby, because for me, it's always been all about white. 

I remember shopping for a grade 8 graduation dress when I was 13 years old (grade 8 graduation is a big, fancy deal where I come from). I tried on so many beautiful, white gowns. But alas, I was talked out of buying one, because they looked too much like wedding dresses. Sad times. 

I can't wait to get married. Actually, no. Scratch that. I can't wait to have a wedding. Why you ask? So I can rock an awesome, expensive, white dress for an entire day, that's why.

I'm drawn to white dresses. It's my thang. They're so perfect.

So when I stumbled upon this pretty little lace number online, it was love at first sight. 

For fall, I love it dressed down with my red Toms and army green Zara jacket. I could also easily dress it up for a night out, with some heels and a cropped leather jacket. Oh the possibilities. They are endless. White is definitely the new black. I am so happy with my purchase! 

Little white dresses for the win! 

Watch out LBDs, there's a new go-to dress in town. 

Accessory Organization

 Accessories!!!!!!!! 

Right now, I'm all about settling back into my place in Ottawa. It's my first time living in the same apartment two years in a row (HOORAY to not moving!!), and my first time living without roommates. My first grown-up apartment. And I want it to be cute! 

I don't give myself a lot of time to get ready in the morning. 40 mins TOPS. Accessorizing my outfits can be tricky when I'm in a rush. Do I have time to un-tangle necklaces and try to put together a pair of matching earrings? NO. Ain't nobody got time for that! 

So naturally, I turned to my good friend Pinterest for inspiration on ways to organize my accessories, while dressing up my space. Here's some of the best ideas I found online: 

I love the idea of using non-conventional things for jewelry storage. Cake stands. Muffin tins. Ladles. Tea cups!!!!! Amazing. 

I set off into town and gathered my supplies. Here's my finished product. 

Back to School, Back to School...

Back to school, back to school, to prove to dad I'm not a fool... 

After a hectic couple of weeks, I've moved back to Ottawa to start my second year of med school. WAHOO. Let's do this thang. 

But first, FROSH WEEK!! (a.k.a. Orientation Week). Defined by my old friend Wikipedia, as: "... a period of time at the beginning of the academic year... During this period, students participate in a wide range of social activities, including live music and other performances, sports challenges, stunts, and open-air markets." 

So, here's a few snaps of some "social activities" me and my buds have been up to.

Safe to say I've been having an O.K. time. 

Frosh week was definitely better the second time around.

Sad it's all over, but I'm happy to get settled down and back into routine. 

Can't wait to see what trouble I'll get into year 2.