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Here are a few shots from my travels these past two weeks–follow along @heidijudkins xo

daydreaming

One of my friends just recently left Montreal to fly back home to Italy for a few weeks. Green with envy, I couldn’t help but take a look at all the pictures from my time in Italy. I spent 4 months in Rome studying art and it forever changed my life. In more ways then one. I swear somewhere deep down in my Norwegian blood that there is a tiny bit of Italian…at least a drop. I fell in love with Italy and we’re not breaking up any time soon. The food, the wine, the people, the simplicity of it all–what’s not to love? While there are sledge hammers below me knocking out walls of my soon-to-be home, I am here daydreaming of Italy and hoping I will go back someday soon…

summer essentials

Even though summer has not officially begun, I have started gathering together my summer essentials. This way, I can see what I have left over from last summer and then what I need to invest in this time around. As I have gotten older, protecting myself again the sun has become my first priority. I’m not trying to look like tan mom or anything. Four out of the six items on my list are easy and fashionable ways to guard yourself against the rays. Also, it’s manicure and pedicure season so colored nail polish undoubtedly makes the list–accompanied by a beaded pair of sandals to show it off. Check out my complete list of must-haves for the summer.

1. a fun summer sandal {Dolce Vita}

2. wide-brimmed hat for the beach {Urban Outfitters}

3. shades {Ray-Ban}

4. a bright-colored nail polish {Mango Bango//Essie}

5. tinted SPF 20 moisturizer for a natural glow {Aveeno}

6. spray-onSPF 45 sunblock with UVA/UVB protection {Neutrogena}

 

What are your summer essentials?

summer 2011 photo diary

Hey there! Since this past weekend kicks off the unofficial start of summer I thought it would be fun to take a look back at last summer’s adventures. It’s finally here! These are my favorite shots from 2011 (mind you I was going through a big hipsmatic phase at this time last year–didn’t we all?):

camp

My weekend was rather eclectic and consisted of family dinners and typical Maine things (see below). We went to visit my lake house (known as a camp in Maine) on Porter Lake. During our trip my brother somehow coaxed me into shooting a gun…a real gun. He had a target set up and I obviously missed it by a long shot. Miss you already Maine! In Montréal news–the rain is officially gone and blue sunny skies are here for the next 10 days. Hopefully we will be able to eat a few dinners outside this week.

a weekend in maine

Hi Everyone! We are still in Maine today, heading back to Montréal later this afternoon. Our weekend was easy and relaxing. I always love coming back to my hometown and having the whole family all under one roof. On Saturday I was able to do some outlet shopping and catch up with old friends. On Sunday we had my mother’s side of the family over for Easter brunch and like always, we had way too much food. Ham, quiche, salad, cookies, cupcakes, cake, muffins….you name it, we had it. I’ve taken a few snapshots of our celebrations and decorations around the house–I hope you enjoy them!

sugar shack

I’m back. Bigger and better. In all honesty, this really was a once-in-a-lifetime food experience. Wonderfully bizarre and decadent food that only Chef Martin Picard of the famous restaurant, Au Pied de Cochon could think of. The concept is based around the traditional cabane à sucre or sugar shack, but it anything but traditional. Usually at a sugar shack in Québec you would find meals of scrambled eggs, beans+hot dogs soaked in maple syrup and few of the other usual breakfast/brunch suspects. Picard has replaced these items with ingredients such as lobster, duck, foie gras and a few things topped with gold flakes. Clearly, a bit different. This particular sugar shack is also seasonal and starts in December and goes until early Spring. They’ve hit a gold mine, because it sells out every year within weeks of when they begin taking reservations. I can only hope that next year I’ll be lucky enough to go! Check out some of the dishes from my night–especially the desserts!

{pickled herring with maple mayonnaise under a bed of thinly sliced potatoes}

{traditional tourtière or meat pie}

{fried sturgeon sushi with tomato+avocado rice topped with fried pig’s ear and gold flakes}

{lobster omelet souffle with mashed potatoes and topped with smoked meat}

{thickly sliced bacon next to cabbage salad and traditional fried German noodles, all covered in maple syrup}

{maple glazed duck with onion rings fried in maple syrup}

{ice cream sundae with hunks of maple toffee and la tire, which is maple toffee placed on top–accompanied by miniature maple meringue cones}

{cinnamon buns with maple frosting}

{maple eclairs, topped with maple sugar cotton candy–clouds of heaven}

{where it all went down}

If you ever have a chance to go to this cabane à sucre, GO! It’s amazing and memorable. You will never have a food experience like this one. Sure you feel like you might throw up when you leave, but it’s totally worth it.

high 70’s with a light breeze

{buying lots of fresh flowers}

This week almost seems to good to be true, weather wise. I can’t help but think about the thought that snow is still a high probability this time of year. For example today’s high is predicted to be 75°F and next Friday snow showers are predicted. How am I supposed to dress for that kind of weather??? If I’m confused, the trees that are blooming right now are even more so. The best and worst part about spring is that once you get a taste of it, you don’t want to go back. In that spirit, this is how I have enjoyed my warm week:

{eating light+crisp, summer-style lunches}

{spotting green grass evidence}

{trying to make this place feel like this place…}

{…but in reality, nothing can compare to Porter Lake-New Vineyard, ME}

nuit blanche

This weekend was all about light here in Montréal. It was the 9th annual Nuit Blanche–an outdoor light festival that includes food vendors, free concerts and underground metro art that goes all through the night. The words free, food and outdoor festival are usually a recipe for success and it definitely was. Despite the cold temperatures Saturday night, the city was packed. Montréal has an amazing underground network so it was easy to sneak inside and warm up before heading back out again. Check out the website here for all details. These are a few of the photographs I shot this weekend during our all night adventure:

just a chalet away…

Considered a camp in Maine, a cabin for the rest of New England and a chalet for Quebec–in any case, I was at one of these this weekend

We were located just a few hours outside of Montreal between Mont Blanc and Mont Tremblant, relaxing and enjoying winter the only way possible: skiing, drinking and an outside jacuzzi. Usually in that order, but the sole exception is that drinking and jacuzzi-ing can be done simultaneously [faire attention]. It was so great to have so many friends all in once place cooking and eating together, a regular Brady Bunch. Naturally, I forgot my real camera so I worked with my iphone for the weekend–more food details to come…

{pizza making}

{a competitive game of right-left-center}

{our furriest chalet friend: lyle the dog}

{and many hours parked in front of the fireplace talking+sipping wine}

Thanks M+J for a perfect weekend away!