Life In Pleasantville
Food, Travel, Life
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to visit many spas, and when you’ve been to as many spas as I have, you start to develop opinions. Ayurvedic spas? Love the philosophy, but they don’t quite cover everything I’m looking for. Nordic spas? Fun in theory, but with a hot tub at home and a …
The saying “big things come in small packages” must have been written about Almonte, Ontario. I mean, how could it not have? Consider this: Mill Street, the town’s main street, is only about 350 metres long but in that short stretch you will find vintage and antique shops, boutiques with clothing you will swoon over, …
Girls’ camping trips have evolved—and thank God for that. Gone are the days of sleeping on hard ground, waking up soaked in dew, and hauling gear like a contestant on Survivor. When it comes to girls’ camping trips in Ontario (and yes, I mean women), it’s all about glamping, good wine, great friends, and even …
When I first planned a solo RV camping trip through Ontario Parks to learn more about our beautiful provincial parks, I was married with a motorhome and had someone to drive it. By the time the trip actually rolled around a few months later, I was down one husband, one motorhome, and one driver (the …
When Parks Canada asked me to come and experience Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay National Park, I was thrilled. Aaaand then I found out about the snakes. Look, I’m no chicken; I’ve jumped out of a plane, rafted white water, traveled solo with kids in tow around the world, and even gently rehomed spiders. But …
Most people who write about Le Boat on the Rideau Canal have been once. Me? What can I say, when I love something, I keep going back. I’ve had a divorce party with ten of my best girlfriends that turned into the founding story of my women’s travel company. A family trip with my parents …
Do you remember joy? It’s that elusive emotion that’s been in short supply these past few years but is now making, and overdue but well-deserved comeback. The thing about joy, though, is that it doesn’t just show up at your door, and it’s certainly not hiding in that endless scroll on social media. Joy requires …
This past weekend, I took my friends to Camp Fortune to zipline. I’m happy to report, we’re still friends. Last year, I started a new tradition with my girlfriends: once a year, they all make the trek to my house in Ottawa. As the host, I have three goals. One, spoil them with good food …
