niche's Profile

Living in Toronto, I have to say that you have the best floorplan I have ever seen in a condo (both bedrooms have windows!). Are you selling? I would love to live there and with your furnishings. Great space.

30-60 minutes, depending on how new the dish is to me. I try not to attempt new recipes during the week unless I am 100% confident that I can make it in a reasonable time. And I don't like Rachael Ray recipes because I can never make them in a reasonable time (like anything close to 30 minutes).

I bought the HBC fleece blanket for the couch because I was afraid of spilling drinks/snacks on the wool one. It's so much cheaper and easier to clean. The wool one is a worthwhile investment though.

That's a great idea. I completely forgot about Bulk Barn.

I always use a french press for cold brew, basically not sure how else to separate coffee grinds from coffee easily...so I'm way more interested in the milk caramel. That looks amazing.

Is it weird that this reminds me of Gossip Girl but in a good way?

I grew up in Vancouver, Canada. Unlike Whipperwill, everyone I know takes their shoes off when going to someone's house. I don't think about it, I just take the shoes off right away. That said, almost nobody I know has formal parties. The only person whose parents have a fancy holiday party only opens the public areas of their house. But I think when someone has public rooms in their house, its a different kinda of thing entirely. :)

I live in Toronto now. I don't think its optional here. I use a 2-level rack from ikea for shoes inside my coat closet. When I have guests over, I put my shoes in my rooms so they have a place to put it. I live in a condo so there isn't really much space.

It's true. Some people love junk. If you drop by a month later, they will actually be using that candle you gave them. I buy nice candles but still...I usually expect people to re-gift them because they look so nice. In general I give chocolate or a bottle of wine and a nice card/note. Don't skimp on the note and get the good stationary.

I hate receiving junk, especially things like bath kits. I have very particular (aka expensive) preferences and most people don't splurge on the really nice stuff for gifts (I don't expect it either). Give me $5 of salted caramels, sea salt chocolates or some gourmet cookies. Even a bag of chips in an interesting flavor. If you really want to be lazy, my boyfriend will love you if we get a box of Lindt chocolate balls. I think people are simpler than we make them out to be.

I love this place as is with the bare walls and empty space because of the architecture. I also absolutely envy anyone who has a sparse and well edited collection of items. It feels like a gallery-like place but still a home. Personally, I would not dramatically change this place by adding lots of colorful accessories or loaded with art. You bought the place because it's a beautiful space...I think. I hope you add those things sparingly (and lots of love in regards to art) because the home is absolutely stunning already. The space doesn't need a lot of visual stuff to distract the eye.

I actually took an etiquette class that included dinner etiquette while in university. I took the class to learn how to eat dinner and conduct a business meeting/impress the recruiter at the dinner event in recruitment. So I actually learned all this stuff among other more useful tips. BUT I have eaten at many fancy restaurants and nobody has ever watched me eat my soup. As long as you are not loud or disturbing the diners near you, nobody is going to notice.

If I was going to eat at a dinner hosted by the Queen of England then I will gladly take this to heart.