Quaintrelle Weekender
Four ways to a better weekend
Welcome to Quaintrelle Weekender.
This is a short list of things I am currently loving to make eating, drinking, and hosting easier and a lot more interesting.
Friends, here in Toronto, we have just come out of a depressing week of grey skies and chilly, nope, make that cold temperatures. A bit of a buzz kill for a summer start, TBH.
But Mother Nature’s back in the game now, as it seems an excitingly intolerable heatwave is scheduled for arrival by the end of the week. Huzzah!
This week’s list is allll about sunbaked inspiration, no matter where you find yourself.
Groove Station:
My go-to playlist for summer dinner and cocktail parties. When I discovered this mellow, yet energetic collection, I was literally all ears. (I cannot handle loud, thumping, screaming music when trying to talk to people – it gives me anxiety.) So, Sunkissed by Apple Music, which is described as, “mixing mellow soul with electro-pop as the soundtrack to warm, happy summer afternoons,” has become the anthem of my apéro.
To Binge:
I know I’m late to the party, but I just watched Season 2 of White Lotus. It started a bit weak for me, but I stuck with it, and I am so happy I did! What a fabulous, nail biting finale! Listen, I know Jennifer Coolidge gets all the love for her portrayal, but can we take a moment to discuss how deliciously infuriating the character Lucia is? Full tip of the hat to actress Simona Tabasco for making me want to slap her at least twice an episode. She must have been such fun to play. Honourable mentions go to Aubrey Plaza whose character, Harper, acted like such a bitch most of the time, I thought her face must have cramped from always looking like she just smelled a fresh fart.
Tablescape Escape:
How dreamy is this table setting?! I spotted it on Mimi Thor’s IG last week and have been thinking about it ever since. I just love the bold play of colour and pattern that immediately whisks you to the Amalfi coast. For years my outdoor aesthetic was Ontario-appropriate, streamlined emerald cedar trees and white geraniums, but as I’ve gotten older and wiser, I’ve realized summer in Canada is just too dang short to colour within the lines. I started busting out colour of my own, inspired by the turquoise waters, leafy palms, and cherry-red umbrellas of Miami, Portofino, and the south of France. I think I’m a better person for it, quite frankly.
PS – if you happen to be in Toronto check out Kochi, a treasure trove of a store beside the St Lawrence Market. It’s one of my favourite places to shop for colourful throw pillows, tablecloths, and all kinds of bits and bobs. Fantastic prices, too.
To Read:
I’ve read – and cooked from – all of
’s books. And I’m addicted to her latest. Le Sud was released last month, and, having read it from start to finish, and I have promptly started all over again. Part cookbook, part hosting instruction manual, part novel, Rebekah has such a richly layered and textural voice. Her descriptions are so vivid you can taste the salty sea breeze of the Mediterranean, and feel the hot, jagged, red rocks of the Côte d’Azur leave permanent indentations under the backs of your thighs. Pictures (by Joann Pai) are so lustful, you will immediately look up oversized, striped blouses, and white, marble pestle and mortars to whip up a casual pistou with fresh herbs just found at the local farmers’ market. An added bonus is that the food and drink recipes are easily doable by the home cook, and Rebekah’s encouraging voice ensures it.To Drink:
As a little bonus, here’s a happy summer tipple to get you in the mood.
We’re all taking advantage of summer strawberries, which are just coming into season here in Ontario (yes, I know you lucky duckies in California and Italy et al. have been deep in the crimson throes for months now, but some of us Easterners are just shaking off the hibernation.)
This is a strawberry sparkler – I put it out on the The Wine Sisters’ IG when I got back from Italy last month. You simply blitz a pint of fresh strawberries with half a cup of simple syrup, the zest of one lemon, and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Whiz for two minutes until exceptionally smooth and creamy, and strain through cheesecloth to get rid of the pesky seeds. This puree can be a summery addition to gin and tonics or whisky smashes, but I really think there’s an elegance by adding it to cold bubbly.
Cheers to summer friends. Let’s have some fun.
xo – Erin
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That strawberry sparkler drink looks lovely