7.25.2014

400. Recent Life - Ottawa

sunset
Hello! I have been horrible with my blog updates as always these days, but I have been in Ottawa for the past 1.5 weeks (and counting) visiting the BF. The routine every day is..we wake up, quickly get ready, and he drives me to a place downtown with a Starbucks, Second Cup & Bridgehead all on the same block while he goes to work. I do my work here for the whole day until I get picked up again and we go watch the sunset at a park/beach (where I've picked up no less than 15 mosquito/insect bites..somehow even one on the bottom of my foot) or eat at Ekko de Brasil (sometimes) for my favourite burger. We also saw pretty much every movie currently out in theatres. Ottawa is so different from downtown Toronto. Even at the busiest times here, there is barely anyone here. Well, I'm used to living at the busiest intersection of the city during lunch hour when a line up at Starbucks would be out the door and there is no chance of finding a seat. Here there's always a spot and less than 10 people inside at any given time. Now I'm one of those regular coffee-shop workers (not that I wasn't already in Toronto - just less extreme). I know where all the power outlets are, the best seats, best washrooms where there's a place to put down your laptop, etc..all the factors any "work from home"/coffee shop people with a laptop use to rate a good "Coffice" ;)

Starbucks (at Bank/Slater):
- mediocre WIFI connection
- 3 power outlets
- need a key to use the washroom (hate this)
- ok food
- army uniformed guys seem to go there alot
- pretty small inside (weirdly enough the quietest times are 12-2pm and busiest seem to be 2-4pm)

Second Cup (at Bank/Slater):
- best WIFI connection out of these three places (where I catch up on Suits and RHONY!)
- nice sofa seating beside a power outlet
- 2 power outlets that I've found so far
- nice washroom
- half the time I'd be literally the only customer in here
- bad food except the rice krispie
- everything is good except..my phone has very very weak reception in here (Guess I can't have it all)

Bridgehead (at Bank/Albert):
- lots of government workers in there it seems
- best food (love the soups and breakfast wrap)
- love the tea (comes in a teapot)
- love the seating
- love the atmosphere
- 2 outlets that I've found so far (along one row of seating which is kind of annoying)
- love the washrooms (ample counter space to put your laptop), but mostly I leave my laptop out when I walk away..which I wouldn't do at the other places
- now the worst...the WIFI is soooooo slow. It's pretty much non-existent!

So there you have it. It's been a productive week. For once I've been working at just the normal business hours. When I'm at home in Toronto without a schedule..my work day is pretty much all over the place.


sunset in Ottawa
sunset
Ekko de Brasil
Ekko de Brasil

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN'
Share:

7.12.2014

399. Recent Life

Jeff Koons balloon dog
I love blueberries. Last week I consumed 16 pints of them in the span of 3 days.

Leftbanked raspberries and blueberries
O&B Cafe Grill Patio
Malibu Melon Mojito (loved this!! O&B has THE BEST summer drinks) & slider burgers at the O&B Cafe Grill patio while watching the Netherlands-Argentina game..I wanted Netherlands to win but as you know, sadly they lost in the shootout.

Toronto Financial District
Commerce Court
This is the courtyard behind my building where I love to walk by dog around..I just noticed the fountain gets lower and lower towards the evening.


Commerce Court Toronto
Commerce Court

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN'
Share:

7.05.2014

398. Lucerne | Hotel des Balances

Lucerne
One of my most memorable hotel stays was a couple summers ago during my solo Eurotrip. I stayed in Lucerne for a few nights, at the Hotel des Balances. I've always loved Switzerland. The weather is always perfect (well, whenever I am there it is), the people are really friendly and well-dressed, and it's a great place to relax. The first time I visited Lucerne was with my mom in 2007. We did all the touristy sites that time, so when I went back to the city by myself, I mostly just stayed at/around my hotel to relax and catch up on my blog. (I also took a side-trip to Zurich one day) That was my first time travelling by myself. I planned the entire trip - spending only 2-3 days at each city, staying at many different hotels, and trying to fit way too much into my few weeks there. Needless to say, I was quite burnt out by the middle of it so I needed the "break" in Lucerne to rest a bit.

Hotel des Balances Luzern
Hotel des Balances is a luxury hotel in the middle of Old Town. It has a beautiful facade and quite a small entrance.

Hotel des Balances Lucerne
Hotel des Balances
After checking in, I got complimentary welcome drink vouchers and chocolates.

Hotel des Balances Lucerne
My room was a "Double Room with River View".

Lucerne
If you ever stay here, I highly recommend you get a River View as opposed to a City View.
The view from the balcony is perfect!

Hotel des Balances Lucerne
Hotel des Balances restaurant
After settling in, I went to the hotel's restaurant to get dinner and catch up on my blog. I think I wrote THIS POST when I was sitting here! So cool reading back on my old posts hahah.

Hotel des Balances Luzern patio
The view from my table

Hotel des Balances amuse bouche
The amuse bouche. I don't really remember what it was..

Hotel des Balances Lucerne
Luzern
As you can see, I stayed here for quite a long time.

Hotel des Balances Lucerne washroom
Hotel des Balances room
I had a tub and shower in my washroom, which opened into the bedroom. After my dinner, I went on a nice stroll around the area before coming back for a looooong relaxing bath with Hotel Costes music of course:

ipod dock
L'Occitane toiletries
Hotel des Balances Lucerne
Hotel des Balances washroom
The ceiling of the washroom reminds me of Rolls Royce ceilings.

Nespresso machine
Hotel des Balances restaurant
I sat at the same table for breakfast.

Lucerne
Hotel des Balances Lucerne
Hotel des Balances Lucerne

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN'
This post archived in: Reviews
Share:

7.01.2014

397. Recent Life

Smythe Long Shawl blazer black shine
Just purchased a shiny new "Long Shawl Blazer" by Smythe last week..I love it! I wish the weather wasn't so unbearably hot every day so I could wear it more often.

Smythe Les Blouses Pomeranian
Also tried on this white blouse (from Smythe's pre-fall 2014 collection). Even the smallest size seemed way too big on me..it is really beautiful though. I might end up going back to get it as well. & on the right is Hennessy sleeping..

Rolls Royce
The Motor Expo at Brookfield Place last week. The Bentley was my favourite.

Rolls Royce Wraith Motor Expo
Bentley Flying Spur W12
Motor Expo Brookfield Place Bentley Flying Spur
Bentley interior
Mini Coopers Brookfield Place
Niagara Falls
Yesterday we visited Niagara Falls/Fallsview Casino. We had lunch at the Grand Buffet..here's the view.

Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
World Cup Germany
It was way too hot and humid so I didn't last long outside. Went for a quick walk before I headed back to the casino lounge to watch the Germany - Algeria game. I'm supporting Germany this year. Such a close match..I was so relieved when they won in OT!

Tiffany & Co Atlas Necklace
I've decided to sell some of my old designer items I never use anymore, starting with this Tiffany & Co Atlas necklace. I got it years ago and barely wore it. I think it's this one but mine is the smaller size. I just had it cleaned at the boutique last week. If you are interested in purchasing it, please email me! tiffany@leftbanked.com


FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN'
Share:
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
© LEFTBANKED. | All rights reserved.
Blogger Template by pipdig