Quaintrelle Weekender

They say you gotta ask for what you want. So, I'm asking.

I rarely do this, friends, but I’m doing it today because it’s just too important to ignore.

If you are in or near Toronto on June 3, I want you to come to Wine, Women & Wealth. I want you to bring your mum (give her a ticket for Mother’s Day!), your sister, your cousin, your neighbour… any person you know who cares about their financial future.

I started WW&W because everyone I spoke to, regardless of income, age, or life position, did not speak about their money with words of empowerment or joy. Instead, they used words like, “stress,” “anxiety,” “guilt,” “worry,” – even grief and regret.

These women (and a few men) were concerned about putting their kids through school or their parents in quality care. Could they afford to get married? Could they afford to have kids? Could they afford to get divorced? Could their kids ever move out of the basement? I thought, I’m not someone you come to to make money (you come to me for suggestions on how to lose money), but I do know how to gather the right people and I know how to throw a party. (See for yourself.)

WW&W is not a bleak bank office where someone presents pie charts and finger wags about buying a daily latte; this is an evening of empowerment, education – and even excitement. Smart, savvy women come together to learn more about building their financial futures; and smart, savvy experts offer tips and insights on how to do that.

This time we have Erica Alini, the personal economics columnist from the Globe & Mail kicking things off with a talk on future proofing your finances – a flushed out conversation from her column that went viral a few months ago. Then we have Sarah Jennault – a true powerhouse who srtarted, scaled and sold her company, She Can Trade and now consults for banks and investment firms across North America. I just has lunch with Sarah, and my head was spinning in all the best possible ways from her incredible ideas.

And because honesty and money talk usually requires the 9oz pour, there’s great wine, and great food served all night long.

Instead of a drab money symposium, WW&W is purposely designed to be just like hanging with your friends, where you naturally swap tips on the cool new things your’ve discovered.

You – and every woman you know, regardless of income – deserves to be there. You have nothing to lose, and quite literally, everything to gain.

This Week’s Big 3

Town & Country wonders why Americans are so mean. I wonder if it’s just Americans. (I don’t think it is.)

You can’t afford to buy cheap. Laura Fenton, of the excellent newsletter Living Small, always writes poignantly about buying less stuff and only stuff that truly matters. I love her take on buying for the long haul.

BBC Maestro is 40% off right now. I love this subscription. I’ve so far listened to the classes by Harlan Coben and Lee Child, and I’m four-classes into Jojo Moyes series (it’s excellent.) If I was deciding whether to gift this or Wine, Women & Wealth, I’d still go for WW&W, but the Maestro subscription is a close runner up.

The Weekend Menu

Last Sunday’s Dinner: Gnocchi and Peas with Whipped Feta (NYT Cooking gift link) (I make my own gnocchi, using this recipe)

Tonight’s Dinner: Vegetable Pot Pie, Food & Wine

The Weekend Cocktail: The French Dorchester 2 (I’m using Lillet blanc, pomegranate juice, and unflavoured simple syrup. I’m also making it by the pitcher for a larger crowd.)

The Weekend Wine: Fontanafredda “Briccotondo” Barbera, Piedmont, Italy $20 (Ontario pricing.)

I really need some sun.

I am just so. pale. in these videos. I mean, I do hail from German and British/Scotish ancestry, so the cards are kind of stacked against me, but my word, get this girl some Vitamin D.

Because it is still frigid in southern Ontario (seriously, I wore my winter coat on my daily walk this morning) I got a little desperate and went to the oracle of the internet to tell me the summer forecast. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, things will turn around by the end of June; because I like to verify my sources, Environment Canada confirms Toronto has a greater chance of above normal temperatures, and very low risk of below normal.

This brings me comfort and joy.

Have a lovely weekend, friends. Stay warm.

Until next time –

xo – Erin