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Diary | Happily Sipping my Way Through the Kelowna Wine Trails

Oooooooh boy. I can barely contain my excitement. A few weeks ago I trekked to BC’s Okanagan to host a series for Tourism Kelowna and Vitamin Daily. (You’ll find a behind-the-scenes recap here.)

My task? To sip my way along the Kelowna Wine Trails.

First stop: Summerhill Pyramid Winery where I wined and dined with the best of them. (Despite what it looks like, I’m not blowing a kiss to the chef.) Take a look…

Thanks for having me, Tourism Kelowna, Vitamin Daily and Summerhill Pyramid Winery! Thanks again, Bent Matter Productions! Can’t wait for the next instalment!

P.S. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

July 26, 2012 by

Trippin’ | Overnight Picnicking on the Oregon Coast

I camped a lot as a kid. Every summer my parents would pile us all into the minivan (my brother, sister and I had to sit side by side with our German Shepherd on our laps) and trek across North America. It’s how I did most of my early traveling — I saw two Provinces and countless States that way, ate a lot of hotdogs, drank a lot of hot cocoa and slurped back a lot of instant oatmeal. I loved it and to this day the smell of campfire instantly relaxes me.

I hadn’t been camping in 10 years so I figured it was about time I made my triumphant return to the tent. Turns out things have changed. We now needed to figure out how to charge a cell phone while in the middle of nowhere (I didn’t — I own my own business so I was in desperate need of a little unplugged time).

Figure out how to chop firewood (not my forte).

And re-learn how to build a campfire in crazy winds.

We stayed in Oregon’s Nehalem Bay State Park in a campground that itself is unremarkable — aside from the fact that you can rent horses — but whose beach is out of this world. White sand stretches for miles and there are very few people on it.

We went with friends who are real foodies so we treated this camping trip like a sleepover picnic. Instead of hitting up Fred Meyer for Ball Park Franks, we stocked up on farm-fresh groceries at the Portland State University Farmers Market (if you go, get the smoked salmon!) and made porcini and sage linguini with quinoa salad.

And spritzers in travel mugs.

That we took to the beach.

Which is also where we made ‘smores. Because some things should never change.

P.S. There ‘smore fun on Facebook so like The Anthology.

July 5, 2012 by

Trippin’ | Cheesecake-less in Seattle

The last time I was in Seattle I had brunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Don’t judge me — it was New Year’s Day and it was the only restaurant near our hotel that didn’t have a long lineup. But still, I know, I know, it was the lowest point in my dining career. So when I went to Seattle a few weeks ago I was on a mission to eat at local joints where the menus don’t come with a separate (and frightening) nutritional info binder.

After much research, many recommendations (thank you, Anya!), and some quality time on OpenTable, my ladyfriends and I went on quite the culinary tour — park picnics and all:

1. Le Pichet means “Pitcher” in French, so naturally we had one filled with wine at brunch. Was it after noon? No, but we were on vacation for crying out loud.

2. I ate neither anchovies nor olives at Anchovies and Olives, but I did have squid ink pasta, which was the most delicious pasta I’ve ever had. Which reminds me, I need to get my tentacles on some more.

3. Even though their rooftop patio was closed, we had brunch at Terra Plata, where they make kombucha cocktails. Just sayin.

4. We ate a late, late dinner at Barrio, where the tacos aren’t quite as good as La Taqueria’s, but they come close.

Though we stayed downtown at the Hotel Monaco (where this stellar self-portrait was taken) we spent a lot of time on Capitol Hill — had a happy hour picnic in Anderson Park (see first photo), took a quick stroll through Totokaelo’s new location (which is gorgeous!).

And stocked up on exotic salts at Sugar Pill. We even managed to squeeze in some spa time at the Four Seasons.

The only thing we didn’t do? Go to the Cheesecake Factory.

P.S. Come along next time — follow @TheAnthology on Twitter.

June 25, 2012 by

Trippin’ | When in Paris, How Many Crepes Are Too Many Crepes?

In her latest dispatch by Katie Burnett, a friend, actress and writer living in London shares her favourite things to see, do, eat and drink in Paris.

London to Paris is an easy, breezy 2.5 hour train ride, and I spent a very hot and beautiful weekend there exploring the city. As someone who loves books, I did a bit of a literary tour, and stopped by the old standards like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. No matter how many times I’ve been to Paris, it never gets old to see the Eiffel Tower in the distance!

Cafe de Flore and Cafe Deux Magots
Located right next to each other in the ultra trendy area of Saint Germain-des-Pres on the Left Bank, these two restaurants are both steeped in exciting history as they were hotspots for Simone de Beauvoir, Ernest Hemingway and Jean-Paul Sartre (among others) to gather and rendezvous with other writers, artists and intellectuals. Tea and a croissant will set you back 10 euros, but it’s worth it!

Shakespeare and Company
For North Americans passing through Paris, this bookstore is a must. Beautiful, crammed and elegant, Shakespeare and Company has hundreds of English books on the bottom floor, and a library on the top floor, which is also used for poetry nights. You can’t remove any books from the library, making it that much more special to sit and read them. (Fun fact: Most of the people who work in the bookstore also live there, and my sister’s friend once lived there and wrote poetry in exchange for her lodging.)

Ernest Hemingway’s House
When Hemingway first went to Paris he lived at 74 Rue du Cardinal-Lemoine in the Latin Quarter. It’s in a great area that’s a few steps from cafes and bars (now home to some of the best happy hours!) and a few minutes away from the stunning Luxembourg Gardens.

Ladurée
If you are like me and love sweets, Laduree is a very dangerous place. Stepping in is like entering Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette – and believe me, you’ll never want to leave.

See a French Movie
If your French is up to it, it’s a lovely experience, especially seeing a movie that won’t be out in North America anytime soon, like the Marion Cotillard film Rust and Bone. Or if you’re stuck in North America, try renting the Guillaume Canet-directed Tell No One (yes he’s the hot guy who wasn’t Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach).

Oh and the answer to the age old question, how many crepes are too many crepes? Easy – as many as you want! How many times are you in Paris?!

[Photos by Katie Burnett.]

P.S. Catch up on Katie Burnett’s earlier dispatches, like her list of must-reads and add to your “When I’m in London” list: Sundays on Brick Lane, Saturdays in Camden Town, Friday nights at the theatre, and East Coast nostalgia.

June 17, 2012 by

Trippin’ (and Shootin’) | Kelowna Wine Trails

I spent last week in Napa of the North, trekking along the Kelowna Wine Trails, drinking a lot of vino (for research purposes) and playing vineyard frisbee golf on a barrel bull (for footage purposes).

I was hosting segments for Tourism Kelowna and Vitamin Daily. Six segments, in fact, and the videographers from Bent Matter and I shot them in two short days. (Do you know how many in-the-car wardrobe changes that entails?)

I talked sustainability and time travel with Gabe Cipes of Summerhill Winery.

Discussed different types of psychedelic libations with Tony Lewis of the Vibrant Vine.

Explored culinary gardens behind some of Kelowna’s swankiest restaurants and then ate with the chefs.

And met plenty of friendly characters (hi Gordon!). It will all add up to must-watch footage, I’m sure, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

[Just realized how much J.Crew I wore on this shoot. Don’t judge me.]

P.S. Be a pinner-winner and follow Kelsey Dundon on Pinterest.

June 11, 2012 by

Playlist | Sasquatch Music and Arts Festival

Though their lineups often overlap (Bon Iver, The Shins, Beirut, Childish Gambino, tUnE-yArDs, etc.), Coachella and Sasquatch are very different festivals. They both take place on the west coast, yes. They both take place in deserts during the spring, sure. But Coachella is where celebrities are photographed in tabloid-friendly outfits.

Sasquatch, on the other hand, is where these folks are photographed by Vancouver-based music photographer Braden Paul. Like last year, he trekked to the Gorge (which, with its edge-of-a-cliff location, is the most beautiful outdoor venue in the world) and scouted some of the biggest characters. Boy, were there many to choose from.

But he didn’t just people-watch, Braden also artist-watched and these are a few of his highlights from this year’s Sasquatch…

The UK’s Ben Howard.

New York’s St. Vincent.

Deer Tick, who Braden also photographed during a recent show in Vancouver.

And…Deer Tick again.

Portland’s Wild Flag.

The UK’s Spiritualized.

Little Dragon, who I just love. Then again, I have a real thing for Swedish indie pop.

[Photos by Braden Paul]

P.S. You’ll find Braden’s highlights from last year’s Sasquatch Festival here, here and here.

P.P.S. You’ll find my photos from this year’s Coachella here.

June 5, 2012 by

Trippin’ | Palm Springs

When you think of Palm Springs, you think of this sort of thing, don’t you? (This is actually one of Peter Granser’s wicked-rad pictures of Sun City from his book of the same name, but it’s fitting.) With early dinners, long golf games and a lot of quiet, your grandparents love it in the California desert, don’t they?

But can your grandfather do this?

Palm Springs is a blast even if you’re not living off a pension. Doing absolutely nothing but blasting Snoop on your poolside stereo, sipping sangria — which, when I make it, is more like a fruit salad with red wine dressing…

…and bobbing around on pool noodles. It’s my kind of vacation. Not travelling, vacationing. There’s a difference and I love them both (almost) equally.

The area’s beautiful too and not just in a sunshine-and-palm-trees kind of way.  These days, every ad campaign, music video and look book seems to be shot in the middle of the desert, and for good reason — the light is gorgeous, the landscape is eerily barren and the weather is usually incredible (though, as I learned from sweater-wearing experience, that’s not always the case).

Speaking of wearing things, I left my white linen suit and Panama hat at home and opted instead to rock a bamboo t-shirt dress c/o Soleone (comfiest thing ever), vintage beaded belt and Frye shoes. When I wasn’t wearing my swimming costume, that is.

P.S. Make like your grandma and like The Anthology on Facebook.

May 28, 2012 by

Playlist | It’s a Sasquatch Kind of Weekend

This weekend, Vancouver-based photographer Braden Paul is at the gorgeous Gorge (sorry! couldn’t resist) shooting Sasquatch. Not, like, a real Sasquatch, but Sasquatch Music Festival. He went last year and his photos are out of this world: take a look here, here and here and stay tuned for this year’s highlights.

I will also be heading to Washington State, though I won’t be heading to the festival (sad face) instead, I’ll be listening to the likes of Santigold, Childish Gambino, tUnE-yArDs and SBTRKT on my iPod with my Urbanears headphones (pictured in Pattan Dark Grey c/o Urbanears).

May 25, 2012 by

Diary | Lunch with Starwood Hotels of Hawaii

If I weren’t such a classy lassy I’d make a joke about getting leid at lunch. But I’ll wait until I’m actually in Hawaii to do such a thing. Because after lunching with the folks from Starwood Hotels I can’t wait to plan some island-hopping.

Who wants to come with?

May 17, 2012 by