Keeping it Cool with a Scandinavian Summer - OOTD

Zara toque, coat by Calvin Klein, turtleneck by Pull & Bear

I was beginning to feel like my winter wardrobe needing a helping hand getting out of the dark colors of the season. I mentioned in a previous look ("Ice Queen" which was in collaboration with The Noteworthys) that I'm getting over my winter blues with just that - shades of blue.

Zara toque, coat by Calvin Klein, turtleneck by Pull & Bear, pants by H&M

Oxblood has really dominated the Fall/Winter scene for the past few years, but now it's time to let bolder and brighter colors shine. Splashes of color seen here with the pastel blue toque by Zara and printed pants by H&M uplift a winter wardrobe and create a bold (but still warm!) look. Keep the look simple but classic, letting the colors act as accessories. Seen here the Pull & Bear black turtleneck and grey coat by Calvin Klein create a canvas for my chosen shades of blue.



What color are you adding to your winter wardrobe? Let me know in the comments below!

The Crushes of Our Teenage Selves

Friends is finally on Netflix. I repeat: Friends is finally on Netflix! Of course, this means that for at least the ensuing month no one between the ages of 21-45 will be getting much done.

Right now I'm in the middle of "The One with Frank Jr." and the concept of the "Freebie List" came up. Chandler bemoans someone on Janice's freebie list, and then explains to the group what he means. A freebie list is a list of 5 celebrities who, should the opportunity arise, one could sleep with and not be considered a cheat. More than a little silly, especially when you consider that Jessica Rabbit is on Chandler's list.

I like to think she's saying "Ahhhh Patriarchy" here

But in all seriousness this had me considering my own, and inevitably I began to think of who I really used to obsess over. Any guesses?

When I was thirteen I was in love (no I swear I thought I was!) with Elijah Wood.

Wait, what now?

When the Fellowship of the Ring came out (I think I may have been 11 when I first saw it) and all the girls in my class were oohing and awing over Legolas' shiny hair I was obsessing over Frodo. And I'm not using the word obsess lightly here. As my love for dear Frodo only strengthened movie by movie I was convinced by the time I was thirteen and puberty and I were BFFs that if I could only just explain to Mr. Wood why we were meant for each other, he'd see it to.

Girl, you be tripping.

I distinctly remember beginning to write a letter and starting with "I know we're ten years apart, but I'm very mature for my age" or some such crap. I had all these daydreams about bumping into him at afterparties (Oh yea, I was famous too) and reeling him in with my adorable and aloof persona.

I was in deep, and spent hours scouring the internet for photos of him. My room was literally plastered with Elijah Wood photos like this one:

You're creeping me out. Just stop.

One day I finally got over Elijah Wood. I had moved on to Daniel Radcliffe.

So now, of course, is the prime time to publicly humiliate myself. Dear Elijah Wood, I'm sorry for being your creepy fangirl way back when. 

Do you remember your first celebrity crush? Did you go a little too gung-ho like a certain someone? Tell all in the comments below!

Sipping on Icewine with iYellow at #NiagaraChilled

One of things I love most about Toronto is the lifestyle here. It may be hard to pinpoint Canadian culture sometimes, but Toronto has a culture of its own: a very distinct foodie culture.



At the tail end of last year I was introduced to the iYellow Wine Club. Founder Angela Aiello's mission is to foster a community of young and eager to learn more vinophiles. iYellow is about making wine education accessible to a new generation. Wine with iYellow is social and fun. The iYellow Wine Club is a place where you can taste wines from all over the world, learn about the wines you love and meet other wine lovers! The wine club plans regular events, tours and wine school classes for you to attend a la carte and you can also learn on your own via their website You learn to better identify your tastes, how to pair what with what and make friends along the way.

The hidden iYellow Wine Club entrance

Check out past events with iYellow:
iYellow #WinemakerRaw
Touring Niagara with iYellow Wine Club

If you've been keeping up with Britton Diaries you'll know I harbor a love for Niagara. It's so close to the city, and yet being there is so starkly different. Niagara is a place where you can gain perspective, and reconnect with friends and loved ones over delicious vintages.

My first chance to escape to Niagara was last February, and unfortunately that meant I missed out on their icewine festival. All throughout January Niagara is bustling with their icewine festival. Over 3 weekends, 58 wineries and 15 amazing events you can enjoy this special harvest. Plus you can plan your getaway your way. See more at niagarachilled.com.

Niagara is beautiful any time of the year - but especially in the winter.

iYellow gave me and a few fellow bloggers a taste of what was to come when they hosted their very own #NiagaraChilled evening. Icewine is certainly unique and is a Canadian treasure. The ideal climate for reliable production of Icewine is one where the summers are warm to ripen the grapes and the winters are cold (but not too cold). It just so happens that Niagara has near perfect conditions, and Ontario has produced Icewine every year since 1984. Since the 1990s Canadian icewine has been globally recognized.

We tasted four delicious wines, my favourite among them being Peller Estates Ice Cuvée, a beautiful champagne with an icewine dosage.




What I found most interesting about the evening was learning to pair icewine with savory foods. I think most often we leap to pairing our sweet wines with something equally sweet, but I found that pairing Peller Estates delicate Signature Series Riesling Icewine with blue cheese complimented the wine beautifully.

Sweet?

Or savoury?

But of course, I have an incurable sweet tooth and quite enjoyed pairing the cuvée with Godiva chocolate. The best of both worlds was the icewine jelly - I have to get a few jars of this!

Yum, icewine jelly!

I'll be heading up to Niagara at the end of January, compliments of iYellow, to explore the icewine festival myself. Stay tuned for the full scoop and don't forget to check out the iYellow Wine Club!

Traipsing Through the German Forest

On Second Day Christmas (the 26th for all you non-Dutchies out there) my sister, her husband and I ventured out to see her in-laws. Heather had told me before how magical Timo's family's place in Germany was: an old inn in a village of three hundred right smack in the middle of the forest.

We don't often have times to disconnect in a world ruled by the Gods of Signal. Being there was like being in another time. Our days were spent venturing through the brush, and our nights huddled around the big dining table, fire to our backs, deep in conversation over cups of Glühwein (mulled wine).

Taking the dogs for a walk

Our merry band of travelers: Bernard, Sebastian, Timo and I

Abandoned brickworks

Frosted stream

Playing a little fetch in the fields

Heading back into the village

Perfect old German cottage

"Forest and Forestry Museum"

The family's Inn

The second day there we caught the tail end of a Christmas market the next town over. As I am quite crazy for Christmas this was spectacularly fun for me. The interesting building below is where you can get a steaming cup of mulled wine, or even eggnog (though by then I'd already had too much sugar). You give a deposit (a pfand) for a ceramic cup that your wine comes in. I think you really are meant to give the cup back and get back your 2€, but I kept it as a keepsake.

Glühwein at the Christmas Market, Germany

Charming architecture in Germany

Chomping down on a Nutella filled crepe... moments after a humongous bratwurst

Enjoying the fireside and a rustic German life

Sometimes I really think I could live out a rustic life. Long conversations and the slow way suite me.

My Heart is in Amsterdam

Every time I come to visit my family and friends in Amsterdam I leave a little bit of my heart behind.

I already miss this little monster. Coat by Calvin Klein, handmade scarf

I was born here, I grew up here, and yet I no longer live here. I know the streets well, I bike like an echt Amsterdams meisje and I find my Dutch only getting better and better. I hope that one day my story will take me back home, because The Netherlands is my home. When you grow up as a third culture kid your passport country is not always the place you feel is home. I am Dutch, passport or no.

Haarlemerstraat, NL

My sister lives on the Haarlemerstraat, a trendy neighborhood of Amsterdam. Every building here is beautiful and full of character.

Likeurtje from Walter Woodbury Bar and thrifted purse

One of the first nights I got back my sister and zwager (brother-in-law) took me to the Walter Woodbury Bar, a surprisingly North American style bar. I think my sister must feel a little homesick for Canada, and this is an establishment that feels like it belongs in Queen West (minus the delicious bitterballen on the menu).

Shoes by Bandolino, jeans by American Eagle and coat by Calvin Klein

Of course, arriving so close to Christmas I was shuttled about by my sisters for some last minute shopping. The Kalverstraat (the Walking Street) is the busiest place you could shop. It's like an outdoor mall, but it has everything you could ever need. I discovered a couple new brands like Monki, Pull and Bear, and Bershka.

Sabon on the Kalverstraat

Amsterdam Museum, Amsterdam NL

Coffee at Museumcafé Mokum

One of those shopping days I stumbled upon the Amsterdam Museum looking for a good cup of coffee. I love how the Dutch do coffee. Instead of drip they serve you a deliciously creamy long shot and almost always compliment you with a cookie.

Freshly made stroopwafel from the Dappermarkt, Amsterdam

I indulged in a little taste of my childhood while hunting through the bustling Dappermarkt. You can buy stroopwafels here in Canada, but it's not the same as having a freshly made one.

At the Tuschinski. Top by Scotch and Soda, jeans by American Eagle, bag by Matt and Nat and shoes by Ralph Lauren Denim and Supply

While in Amsterdam I caught The Hobbit. I have to say that I don't like how it was filmed - this whole more frames per minute thing makes me feel like I'm watching something low-budget. How ironic, and what a waste of production money! But seeing the movie in the glorious Art Deco Pathé Tuschinski theatre made the night worthwhile. If you travel to Amsterdam you just have to see this theatre, even if you don't actually see anything playing there.

Christmas Day in Amsterdam was sunny and bright

Christmas day I took the kids to a playground to keep the chaos out of the house for a little while. On the way I got distracted by one beautiful building. Inside was a courtyard and utter stillness. It was a seniors residence, with a neatly trimmed garden and a beautiful view.

Sisters compare hands

Later that week my sisters and I checked out the Amsterdam Light Festival. After talking which side of the family Rachel's kids take after, she turned to compare each of us. We all look alike in our own way, even if we don't look strongly like mum or dad. She had us compare our hand. Mine are like my mum's with long and knobbly fingers.

At the Amsterdam Light Festival

Artis Zoo, Amsterdam

The day before we left we took the kids to the Artis Zoo. I have so many childhood memories of traipsing around this zoo. I may have more memories of playing on the playground, to be honest, but I distinctly remember the tiger that I named Rajah (Ajay tells me this name is the equivalent of the English "Alistair").

A dirty Dutch tile

And just for fun, here's a dirty Dutch tile.

What place do you call home?