Weekly Vlog | Gigs, A Snowstorm, Skiing & Eating

I hope you enjoy watching this fantastic week as much as I loved living it. Apologies for the lack of posts this month - I have been mad busy working and then spending my weekends enjoying life. I might write a little post about it all and I should be much freer from April so please bear with me!

Izzie x

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Battling The Elements

Skirt - ZARA, Top - vintage, Coat - vintage, (SIMILAR), Boots - DR MARTENS

Location: Mile End, Montreal

We all know that fashion blogging in winter is tough - it gets dark much earlier, the weather is worse and outfits are dominated by coats and boots. But winter in Montreal is going to challenge outfit photo shoots to another level and although I have been mentally preparing for this since I moved here, evidently I am still refusing to let a bit of cold get in the way.

So today's outfit is clearly not weather appropriate but as I had planned to shoot it on Monday morning, I bloody well did! The second big snow fall of this winter so far was not going to stop me getting my content - I was instantly up for the challenge to try shooting while it was actually snowing and I love the result.

This look featured in my recent ALTERNATIVE PARTY OUTFITS LOOKBOOK but I wanted to share it because this might just be the perfect party outfit for Montreal, for four reasons. Firstly, thanks to the snow, I am currently living in my Dr Martens boots so being able to rock them to a party and not having to take a change of shoes is a win in my eyes. Secondly, I have given up on wearing tights and mini skirts for the foreseeable few months so a midi skirt with leggings hidden underneath is a great way of keeping cosy and looking fab at the same time. Thirdly, until I find a proper nice winter coat (good luck Iz), I will refuse to stop rocking the faux fur, which is fine because faux fur coats keep you damn warm and look so elegant for the festive season. And finally, if you were not sold on the previous three practical reasons, this outfit is super on trend with the metallic pleated midi skirt and mesh/goth top, which happen to go perfectly together.

I am sure that soon I will have to give into the cold and start shooting in the underground city, in my apartment or in the metro but I will keep sharing snowy Montreal outfit posts as long as I can brave it!

What are your tips for surviving fashion blogging in winter? Are you loving the Dr Martens as part of an evening/party look?

Izzie x
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Lola Rosa Vegetarian Restaurant Review

Montreal has so many restaurants that even if you ate each of your three meals a day at a different one, it would take you over four years to eat in every restaurant in the city. With that crazy tidbit in mind, the fact that vegetarian (and vegan friendly) restaurant, Lola Rosa, is ranked in the top 20 on Trip Advisor is a pretty telling sign of how good the food is. 

Originally I wanted to save this review for a 'Top 5 Vegetarian Eateries In Montreal' post or something similar but a) that could take an age to test and compile and b) I just wanted to share it already. I may still do the aforementioned post but a bit of repetition never hurt anyone - am I right? OK, back to the review - Lewis and I actually visited Lola Rosa twice in the space of six days back in October because we had already planned to take my mum and stepdad there when they were visiting and then decided we should "test it out" a few days before and treat ourselves to a "pat on the back" meal for having painted and decorated our new flat. Anyway, it was certainly good enough to eat at twice in six days is basically what I'm saying so let's get on and review our second visit as A LOT more food was consumed that time round. 

Lola Rosa's menu is mexican influenced so to start, the four of us shared what was almost quite literally a mountain of nachos. I mean, just look at the size of it! Piled on top of homemade nachos and melted cheese (vegan option also available) were the usual lashings of refried beans, sour cream and guacamole as well as chopped tomato, sweetcorn and a deliciously warm tomato sauce. This is actually a main course which we ordered as a starter and there is no way that you would want to share this between just two people, let alone have it, well, alone! Definitely up there with the best nachos I have ever had so grab your mates and head down to Lola Rosa.

The first time Lewis and I went to Lola Rosa we shared two different main meals. Normally I bloody hate agreeing to share meals or even puddings because I get the fear that I will like one more than the other and then begrudgingly have to trade. I agreed that time because I could tell Lewis also wanted the grilled tempeh and vegetable green curry that I had chosen but we thought it was silly to order two of the same thing from such an excellent menu. So we ordered that and the black bean, mozzarella and 5 veg burrito and this is exactly what we did on our second visit.  

The black bean burrito is a delicious take on a classic, jam packed with vegetables, mushed sweet potato and black beans. I warn you now that it is quite spicy but if Lewis (AKA biggest spice wimp) can handle it then I am sure you can too! The burrito is served with the same warm tomato sauce that was on the nachos, some wild rice and a side salad drizzled with an amazing strawberry dressing! So if you like flavours, I would highly recommend this taste explosion - it's got everything going on.

The vegetable green curry is a nice, mild compliment to the spicy black bean burrito which is why sharing these two dishes worked so well for us. The Thai-style curry comes with a bed of wild rice and it topped with two pieces of tempeh. As a Quorn lover through and through, I am not mad about tempeh but Lola Rosa do it the best I have ever had it - marinated in a rich maple and tamari sauce, which goes perfectly with the curry. 

Having post-nachos binge guilt and growing food babies, we decided to just order two puddings. Lewis and I shared a gooey chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce - a classic but for good reason, it was delicious. Mum ordered a ginger and basil crème brûlée, which gave me serious food envy because ginger and basil are both my ultimate smells and tastes. Luckily she let me have some as she's generous like that and also the food coma was imminent. 

Lola Rosa prides itself on being "the favourite vegetarian restaurant for non vegetarians" so I would definitely recommend trying it out even if you are a meat eater! What "lacks" in meat is made up for in the gorgeous flavours, which is something vegetarian food should be recognised for so thank you Lola Rosa for leading the way! I cannot wait to go back and try something new - although I am a creature of habit so no promises there! Happy eating!

LOLA ROSA | 4581 Avenue du Parc, Montreal

Other location | 545 rue Milton, Montreal

Izzie x
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An Afternoon At The Market

Lewis and I love a good market. The boy even gets excited going into new supermarkets so imagine our joy at spending an afternoon exploring the Marché Jean-Talon in the Little Italy area of Montreal. I simply could not resist photographing - and sharing with you - this beautifully presented and vibrant market, which is without a doubt the best food market I have ever been to. It is full of fresh and local produce with free samples everywhere, which Lewis took full advantage of, and it was such a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

We were so impressed at the quality and price that we spontaneously decided to pick up some ingredients to make a vegetarian bolognese that evening. A basket of tomatoes, a large bunch of basil and some vegetables cost under 10$ between us and we still have loads of basil left over so we are going to make pesto tonight!

I had never made a tomato sauce from scratch before but it was super easy and tasted so much fresher and healthier than having it out of a jar. We simply fried some onion and garlic before adding lots of diced tomatoes and letting it simmer down while roasting sweet potato, courgette, aubergine and pepper in the oven. Once a sauce had formed, we added the roasted vegetables and vegetarian mince to finish off the bolognese. I would definitely recommend taking the time to source good, local produce and spending some time in the kitchen because then you know exactly what you are eating and the taste is so worth the extra effort.

The market also sells sweet treats including lots of maple syrup - of course - and pateis de nata, much to our delight. We missed out on trying the chocolate one so we shared a classic vanilla and a maple syrup - only in Canada eh? They were absolutely delicious, therefore vindicating our point of never passing up on a pateis de nata if we get the chance.

Izzie x
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YouTube: First Weekly Vlog In Montreal

Izzie x
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Montreal | Photo Diary & Life Update

Hello from Montreal! As you may or may not know, I recently moved to Montreal with the love of my life and amongst the stresses of finding work and an apartment, we have been exploring this wonderful city. We have climbed the 'Mont Royal', relaxed on the banks of the Lachine Canal, walked a lot around Le Plateau and Mile End and I have been pretty snap happy along the way.

I wanted to share some of the photos I have taken so far from urban streets and beautiful houses to street art and, well, photos of us! Montreal is a super arty city and there is something to look at on almost every corner in Le Plateau. I love the industrial vibe to the buildings and I am so excited to shoot outfits photos here!

As for a life update, we have had no luck so far finding jobs but we are keeping our hopes up and persevering! We are hopefully on the cusp of getting an apartment - it has been relatively easy to find an apartment despite not having a job but we are just quite indecisive! It is also quite scary signing a year lease when we do not even know if we will find jobs here! To quote Lewis: "I hope this city is kind to us" and we feel more settled soon.

Izzie x
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