Quaintrelle Weekender

I was out for dinner with friends last week, and the subject of what to drink with what you eat came up. I was ordering for the table. Some of us were having fish, another a roast beef, and I went with steak tartare and fries.

My honest answer is … I don’t care.

Like, ya, if you’re asking me professionally what will make you a better person – at least culinarily speaking – I’ll give my two cents, and maybe an invoice for my consulting efforts, but if you’re looking at me kindof apologetically for ordering Pinot Grigio with well-done beef, I literally don’t care. Not to sound selfish, but I’ve got enough of my own problems to worry about what you’re doing.

Which brings me to a disappointing headline I saw on the Financial Times magazine, How to Spend It.

The write up underneath the tedious headline, “Are Your Socks Aging You?” reads, “socks, more than any other item, separates Zoomers from Millennials.”

And I thought, who the fuck cares?

Listen, babe, the world is divisive enough. Don’t worry about the height of someone’s sock hem.

It’s been a weird couple of days in Toronto, as wildfire smoke from the north of the province has blanketed the city in an eerie haze. The upside is that it’s knocked down temperatures from a projected 37°C, to a far more bearable mid 20’s. It is indeed an ill wind that blows no good.

It works for Oprah … Oprah Winfrey is a champion of the daily gratitude journal. Just a writing down five things at the end of each day, she says changed her life, “…and I was already having a pretty good life!” I decided to give it a 30-day trial run and see what happens. Stay tuned.

Death on the Nile Kenneth Branagh returns as Detective Hercule Poirot. I watched this during my self-imposed lock down when the air was too bad to go outside. Worth it just for the cinematography and costumes. Gorgeous.

Break your fast for better health Here’s a quick, smart clip explaining why putting off breakfast is not a good idea for those of us with XY chromosomes.

Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser – A intriguing spin on Cinderella but told from the stepmother’s point of view. This will be one of my top reads for the year: language was enviably perfect, characters identifiable, flawed and relatable. It was also highly enjoyable – and easy – to read. Highly recommend.

Last Sunday’s Dinner: Moroccan Kefta (gift link), cucumber pomegranate salad (gift link), store-bought flatbreads and tzatziki.

Tonight’s Dinner: Moules Sauce Poulette with oven fries and focaccia

The Weekend Cocktail: Sgroppino (but I’m swapping out the vodka for limoncello)

The Weekend Wine: I’m off to the International Cool Climate Celebration in Niagara this weekend. I will be drinking Chardonnay and lots of it.

Friends, even though it’s summer and the living is supposed to be easy, my wealthy benefactor has yet to make him or herself known.

Therefore, I am working – busy planning my company’s fall and early winter programming (yelp) and I am thrilled to say we kick it all off September 23 at Vantage Venues with our next Wine, Women & Wealth symposium. Tickets are available now, and you can get 15% off with the code QUAINTRELLE.

This quarterly event is an idea-generating, motivating event that pairs expert financial insights with exceptional wine, chef crafted bites, and meaningful conversation. Whether you've put off investing, relied on someone else to manage the finances, or simply want to better understand your money, WW&W offers realistic ideas to create a future that works for you.

I really hope to see you there.

Until then –

xo –

Erin

Use: QUAINTRELLE for 15% off