Maybe you too can relate, but there’s a usual feeling of “behind-ness” I get, when I am super busy but consuming more than creating. My ideas are practically bouncing off the walls, but my speed in which I react is more inaction than reaction, and I’m left with this feeling of not doing enough. Not acting on all the versions I want to become.

What I enjoy about this space, my well now “monthly” but intended to be weekly newsletters, is that it allows me to tap into another side of myself. One who maybe doesn’t get to exist in other realms, but in this corner of the internet that Substack has created for so many. It’s been a fun space to become one who shares her words, thoughts, and interests, and connecting with others through their words and shared observations of life.

So, thank you to those who have interacted with Taking Note. I am excited to begin another season, year, and chapter of life.

As it’s been a while, so let’s get into the Weekly.

~

In the Mood

What caught my eye, themes, colours and all.

To Check Out

• As one who always enjoys a cafe date, I particularly had an extra sweet experience at a newer spot, called Saudade. Formerly a decor and goods store, they expanded their space to now include a cafe section,

  • A curated atmosphere with a Portuguese focus, the soaps, sardines, ceramics and even books that line the shelves, have a connection to Portugal

  • I enjoyed a pastel de nada while browsing through a bridal issue of Vogue Portugal, and truly didn’t want to leave! A spot I’d love to keep visiting, and recommend to check out

Napkin Notes

Miscellaneous from the previous few weeks.

• There’s a warm hum in the city. It’s coming back to life, it’s vibrancy spills out through the evenings that stretch, more sunlight to enjoy walks, parks and now patios again

• Milkshakes for two at a local diner, and our booth entertainment is the gallery of post it’s from previous guests, I find it fascinating all these little sketches from strangers actually suit each other so well

• Been very into reading again, and just finished Verity. An intriguing thriller forsure, it kept me engaged, I am curious to see how it adapts to the big screen. *Spoiler* I don’t think Verity is innocent (what do you think?)

• Was walking through Trinity Bellwoods Park, and there was a random piano situated below a tree. A stranger took over and began playing, and no one batted an eye. In his own world, enjoying the sound of the keys, not a care about who listens or sees.

Inspired By

Lately, my eye has been drawn to accessorizing. It plays a beautiful part in how one expresses themselves, and their overall persona. Walking with my boyfriend the other night, we got into a fun conversation about watches and how it’s such a timeless accessory (hah).

Thus, it comes as no surprise that my free time for a bit was spent scouring Poshmark for a particular Esquire watch, similar to the one I grew up noticing my mom wear often. Although I had my eye on stainless steel, a leather band gem appeared in my searches, and it felt meant to be, in beautfiul condition, this is an accessory I adore and suits many forms of attire.

Another look that has been on my mind, is the natural nail and ring stack combo. It looks so GOOD! It’s so cool to see how people style their hands for the day, some rings that stay on full rotation or the cool heirloom ones that add a tasteful touch.

Birthday Toasts

(though it’s been some time since, it was intended to be in an earlier newsletter, but was in the notes, so sharing some birthday reflections now while we’re here)

One could argue there is a serendipitous feeling to a birthdays, even your own. One centred around the day you started to exist, the start of your story. I think birthdays are special, and enjoy celebrating them so much for those in my life.

For mine, I felt very lucky and loved this year. No big plans in mind, the main goal was to take some time and enjoy things that have been on my list. Going for coffee, reading out on a patio, or taking my family to some food spots I’ve been itching for them to try.

It was the best welcome to the later half of my twenties that I could have asked for, and the people in my life, my boyfriend included who made sure I was enjoying birthday week, was incredible.

As we sat at a table with some close friends, they asked what I want for this year to be, to which I respond, “whimsy”.

It’s very easy, to get wrapped into the stresses, routine, and patterns of life. In maintaining a career, adulthood, and still learning who I am and all the things life brings, I don’t want to lose sight of being whimsy about it too. When we’re younger the possibilities are endless, and there’s an air of magic, in both the small and big thing’s. Which maybe is something to take note of and adapt into adulthood too. We all still have our old imaginative selves inside of us.

We still carry our 6, 12, 18 year-old versions of ourselves with us, no matter how many birthday candles pass each year. So this is my toast to those versions of me, past, present and future, to celebrate being here and having the ability to create, work, love, and be whimsy.

“We all look at the world once, in childhood. The rest is memory” - unknown

~

Thank you for being here. May some whimsy be part of your days this next month.

T

Something about the scene in a 4”x5” frame, felt so magical to me. Photographs and taking photographs was something I quickly felt so interested to create.

In recent years now, I have found joy in creative photoshoots. Through these experiences, I have learned it’s about making your own magic. Not asking for permission but to just do the creative thing! To bring the photos to life that you envision.

I feel very lucky that I share this passion with some close friends of mine. These women are talented, creative, can see combinations in colours, and have an eye for styling that I admire so much.

Having a sliver of an idea, and then finding all the pieces through Pinterest and using that to create a shared mood board, for something we want to create or shoot, has been a fundamental creative exercise, that we partake in, every so often.

A key part of making your own magic, is playing pretend. Maybe I am not a creative director in my day job, or a magazine editor, but on weekends, who says otherwise?

Book the studio time. Text your friends. Buy some coffees. Bring the film, cameras, and clothes, and be on your way.

You don’t need to ask anyone to be creative.

It’s the act of just doing so, rather than ruminating on the idea, that feels the most freeing, fulfilling, and joyful.

After each creative shoot I have executed alongside my friends, the aftermath always results in shared feelings of excitement, happiness, and giddiness. It’s as if we gave ourselves permission to be kids again. To play pretend for hours, and actually engage in our creative ideas, to bring something to fruition that only existed on a shared mood board hours prior.

A recent shoot that I felt lucky to be a part of, was with the brand Rangè. My close friend , and her brother are the masterminds behind this. This shoot was planned out by their team, and I had the joy of getting to capture the products on film, and witnessing the art of a creative shoot in real time.

In a studio situated in the east end of Toronto, we lugged a bag of clothes that matched the colour scheme of the mood board, and got into it.

A group of us, in one space, clothes in bins and shoes scattered around. Curating looks in real-time. Coffee cups, and a few orders from the shop around the corner. It was beautiful chaos and I loved every second of it.

Each of us with a different style camera: film, digital, camcorder, there were so many formats that we played around with, to get the shots we wanted.

Getting the film back a few weeks later, I smile going through these now, as this day was not just a project, but a fun creative memory. We made our own magic.

RANGÈ ON FILM

Fringe Clutch by: Rangè

Styled by: , Hannah Nasiry

On Film by:

~

May this be your sign, to make time for creative ideas.

To be the maker of your own magic.

To spend time with your friends and do the creative things!

Because why not?

- Taylin

debating whether or not the moment has passed.

maybe I can still sneak in a run.

the night air is warm, and the streets in the city are buzzing.

it’d be a shame to not.

8:15 pm

my mind’s made as I lace my runners.

double knot, and I slip out the staircase.

music, sport watch, I press play.

8:25 pm

there’s so many others, enjoying the remaining minutes of sunlight.

strangers cruising on citi bikes, or running as well.

quickly I begin to feel the hum of a runner’s high.

it’s an electric evening.

8:45 pm

before pivoting back, I pause.

the sky above the lake has softened into a vibrant pink.

it looks serene.

geese meander along the rock.

strangers sit along the benches, or lay on the grass.

everyone is just being.

it’s a reminder to just stop. to just be.

I smile at the sky and continue on.

9:00 pm

my feet move in a familiar rhythm.

the CN tower glistens in the distance.

this city feels like magic.

9:15pm

eventually the pace slows to a trot.

it’s time to head home.

to think I wouldn’t have gone for a run.

grateful I did.

grateful I can.

grateful to be here.

what a pretty night.

-T

Travelling is a joy, and it shows me each time that there is other walks of life, outside of the daily one lived at home. I am grateful for the expanded perspective that travel often brings, when it comes time to board a flight and teleport somewhere else.

~

California has always felt of a place of magic. There is an invisible but powerful glow, that emanates through the coastal highways, neon signs, and palm trees. Purple flowers decorate some of the trees, and there is a sense of calm.

Encinitas in particular has a relaxing feel to it. There’s no sense of hurry, hustle, or frustration. Surf boards outnumber the number of locals I am sure, and the sandy sidewalks, evidence of foot traffic to and from the beach. This is their backyard and they know how to enjoy it.

This one trip back, more special in particular. Where the person I love, asked me to marry him. There was an electricity since that moment. Our California love.

Driving along the PCH, sunlight creates rainbows that sparkle the dash of the car. The coast breezing in the window, as we drive to either a coffee shop or the beach for the day. No rush. We’re right where we need to be.

The soundtrack to the trip follows us without our own effort, as we’re greeted by the sounds of Olivia Dean in one of the restaurants or cafes.

Sitting at a coffee shop we quickly claimed to be a necessity to the itinerary, Coffee Coffee, a surfer style shop located in Leucadia. We sit under the large, flowing tree out front. The now nostalgic taste of salty cold foam on an iced vanilla latte, stays in my mind as a memory.

My favourite thing while travelling, is to document all of the food, coffee and unique spots, to recommend for later. Off the top of my notebook …

To start the day, some beach town coffee shop rec’s:

• 602 Coffee (Huntington Beach)

• Buzzed Coffee (Encinitas)

• Coffee Coffee (Leucadia, Encinitas) *get the salty cold foam on your iced latte!!

A notable mention for dinner, if you are in Encinitas:

• Herb & Sea, a discrete but incredible spot, the interior decor sparks inspiration for a chic beach home, and the dishes made us book another reso right away.

As moments passed through the week, I often reached for my film camera. It is always a treat, to return home and see what develops, as these are not instantaneous photographs, but meant to enjoy later on … scenes that were frozen in time.

California Film Album

My Travel Favourites

These items made traveling extra memorable, and were things I gravitated to daily.

• Off The Grid travel journal (linked here)

• Mini LL Bean Boat Tote (linked here) *the most sturdy, compact bag that still fits all the cameras, journals and necessities!

• Kodak Ultramax Film (linked here) *captures well in day or night time, with vibrancy

~

Even though we had to eventually say good-bye, our last trip to the donut shoppe, our last afternoon on the beach, we left with a feeling of abundance. Though reality will come, I am re-inspired to bring that sense of California back home. To romanticize each day. Grateful that we have found areas of California that bring on emotions of great joy.

A place that will remain special to me, a top in my travels.

x T

~

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

Thank you for reading Taking Note. I hope this provides ideas if you have plans to visit the West Coast someday.

My film page, where the film fun happens to see more from recent travels.

My travel favourites do include affiliate links, if you do choose to replicate these for your upcoming travels, thank you & enjoy!

Welcome back to another edit of T’s Weekly.

~

1. Ramblings

As we progress through the month of March, I’ve noticed a shift in perspective. It’s been a season of change in many formats, with the start of a new job, shifted routines, fluctuant weather that teases the emergence of spring. Lots on my mind lately.

If I were to ramble about one thing here though, it’d be about the courage to explore.

I can find myself wanting to stick to the familiar, whether it be frequenting the same cafe each Saturday, itching for sameness, or being in my comfort zone. However a lot of the things learnt in life, about yourself, and others, is through places both experience and explored.

Most of the time, curiosity does not kill the cat, it reinvents it.

Through the last few weeks, with a career change and a speed of newness all at once, this period of time has taught me to continue being curious through exploration.

More simply, one weekend, we stretched our walk parameter and found ourselves at ironically, a spot called Found Coffee. This adorable, white and pink detailed cafe. Sitting on this patio felt refreshing, our first patio outing in months. Sun shining, and people watching as others passed by across the street, or filled the remaining tables next to us, some pups in their winter boots. Had we not been open to exploring a new street/corner from our usual route, this memory wouldn’t have been unlocked.

Now, maybe lattes aside, this approach and mindset can exist in many formats. There is a courage needed in being curious about something to try, something beyond your comfort zone, your baseline. If you were to take something from this, I would hope that it encourages you to finally try the thing you’ve been wanting to but pushing off. Or exploring a new food spot versus repeating the same three. Asking a friend to grab coffee and walk in a new neighbourhood. However way fills your cup.

This is something I am continuously learning and by no means an expert, but I am notably seeing how impactful exploring new things and places, can truly be.

2. Inspired by Lucky Charms

There is usually a surge of inspiration that occurs around this time of year, with the promise of spring near. Shaking off the winter blues and sleepiness, I feel excited to visualize a mood or theme of the month ahead.

This March, has the typical green swirl to it, but there is a big theme of charm. More specifically, Lucky Charms.

As one who has rediscovered her love for jewellery, accessories, and layered pieces, my fascination with charms has become more prominent lately. There is such an unspoken coolness, when someone truly embodies the jewellery they wear. I especially enjoy observing those who have their statement pieces that suit them so naturally.

Especially when luxe pieces are paired with beaded, casual bracelets, it’s tells a story of, “I’m serious but I can have some fun too”. Playfulness. I love to see it!!

Some recent saves on Pinterest below, where this inspiration of been garnered from.

A season of chains, charms, and beaded vibrance.

3. A Proper Night

In theme of my ramblings above on exploration, it is necessary that I share about a new dinner spot added to our Toronto list.

Narrowly nestled in the street alongside shops and local grocers, you’ll find a green trimmed spot called Proper. Outside looking in, the occupied tables with flowing conversations, provide a snapshot into the comforting atmosphere of the space.

Tiles and trims saved from the previous ownership, the new location tastefully merges charming styles into their aesthetic. Blue tiles and fig wood trims, complimented by frames of black & white film shots, of Toronto scenes in the 80’s. I couldn’t help but keep glancing to these throughout our reservation, curiosity growing for the moments captured the hang above the booths and guests of the evening.

Seated at the stainless steel bar, the staff made a mindful effort to keep the counter clear. This experience felt special as we got to see first hand, the level of love, effort and attention to detail that went into each dish.

Our favourites of the night:

If you are itching to try something new, I would very much recommend booking a reservation at Proper.

~

With that, I hope that the remainder of March is good to you.

“To live a creative life; consistently and routinely - choose curiosity over fear” - source unknown (but on point)!

Yours Truly,

T.

Wandering through Toronto on a rainy winter afternoon, I was quite unfamiliar with the city and neighbourhoods. After discovering some new corners and cafes, I had approached Niagara St. In the dim winter evening, I spotted a restaurant.

The yellow sign glowed through the raindrops and read, “The Old York Tavern”.

Resided on the bend of the street, I could see that many conversations, meals, and happenings were taking place in this charming spot.

Adding it to my list for later, I made a mental note to come back someday.

~

Someday …

Since that night, I have in fact, gone back to The Old York, and enjoyed its inviting atmosphere and signature dishes, either with friends or family.

There are many food spots in Toronto, (and I will preface that I am no food critic) however, I am someone who enjoys finding and trying restaurants, but more often, repeating the incredibly good ones.

This spot, is certainly one of those repeatedly good ones.

It’s one of those places, that naturally gives you fomo, sparking your curiosity. From street view, you can’t help but have a look as you walk on by, the windows providing a glimpse to the restaurants interior charm. Guests sit in pairs among the tables or along the bar, and a warm ambience emits beyond the window panes. Whether you had a reservation or not, this view provides an inviting feeling to go check it out.

Subdued yellow lights, contribute to the hum of the space. Seats in dark wood, booths a similar tone. Curated silverware, artwork, and blue details rest well on the eyes.

The blue leather menu contains a list of choices that warrant an extended stay, in the sense of, you want to savour each bite.

To start & share…

• Onion Dip: Served on a blue trimmed dish decorated with pommes guafrettes to dip (an elevated take on your chips and dip) this one is my favourite.

• Dragon Acres Squash: A savory starter, that includes a layer of labneh, squash, and sliced pears … a combination you’ll want to recreate later at home.

In between bites and sips, I glance around the space. The checkered floors compliment the blue and wooden hues of the restaurant. Vintage bar posters, sterling silver figurines and decor, I take notes of inspiration for my house someday.

Sips and chatter, as the evening stretches, it’s time to order some more.

Now, when it comes to the main, I have always gravitated to their Tavern Burger and Frites. Sometimes, you just need a burger, and this one does the trick. Classic, consistent, and served with a generous portion of frites, this is my go-to each time.

There is always room for dessert. Especially when it’s Pain Perdu. A bread pudding dressed in caramel and chantilly cream. You can certainly solo this, not because it’s a small portion, but because it’s too incredible to share. However, if you find yourself in a sharing situation, that is okay, because the joy can be split between spoonfuls (just try to sneak some of the bigger ones).

~

A night at The Old York, gives you a taste into the Toronto food scene. Not in a flurry, loud, overly done way. But in a manner that is quietly adored, well curated, and charming. The entire team is incredibly kind as well. It emanates that this is a family, a place built on making sure clientele but also staff, feel right at home.

A forever favourite.

Cheers.

x Taylin

A year ago, I signed a lease, and moved to a city. My first inflection point of 2025. A change that I brought unto myself, but changed the trajectory of my life to follow.

Today marks a year since that move-in date. The magnets on my fridge unmoved from that first night, but a few additions since. Photo booth strips from birthdays in the city now have a spot. Plants once small have taken up space in the kitchen corners.

It’s hard to know, if I have made the right choice at times. It’s often easy to get wrapped up in all the moving things around you, the desire to seep into comfort, and what you already know instead, as it’s predictable, expected.

However, no matter what I may try to control, I will still come to face another inflection point, a turn of curve. Whether I create it, or it approaches me unknowingly, I am learning that they are often worth navigating.

Had I not bent my curve a year ago, I would have not experienced many of the moments in-between since.

• the way the sky turns pink in the evening, the colourful hues shaping the city skyline, the visible transition in the day that feels extra magical in this view

• the corner cafe that has become a regular part of the weekend routine, the order memorized like the back of my hand, the aroma that wraps the space comfortably

• watching airplanes take off from the local airport, in the company of other strangers on summer evenings, who also chose to catch the last part of the day by the waterfront, here for varied reasons but shared intent of admiring the view

• finding new routes to and from the office, maybe even giving the city bike ago

• reconnected friendships & new ones formed

• going for runs as the sun is waking up before the city has, the quiet corners of normally busy intersections, and seeing the CN Tower in the distance

• my first studio sessions shooting film, believing in my creative ideas

• the observations of patterns, people, and things I felt so inspired by, even during walks, or time wandering new areas

• endless cafes and places to add to my Google maps saves; bringing family to my top few favourites, being able to share the joy with them, places once unfamiliar now in rotation

With this first year in Toronto behind me, I am grateful to have been able to do this. To move here, to push myself out of comfort, and to give something unfamiliar a go.

The moments listed above may also not include the low points, those hard parts where the change feels tough, confusing, and the doubts feel louder than certainty. I think thats part of the whole journey though. If we knew the right decision at every point, then life would be quite boring. How could we go on and discover ourselves, learn our own stories, if we read a chapter ahead already?

So my curiosity for this place (& myself) continues to grow. I am learning each time that it is important to not turn away when these bends in the curve appear, rather to step into it, with grit, willingness, and belief in the better. Not all inflection points may be kind in our lives, however, the person you become on the other side of it, greatly depends on your ability to lean into change rather than resist it. To steer your own ship accordingly, and not fear it entirely, but try to learn, grow, and be better from it.

As I write and reflect on this, I still don’t know it all, believe me. Life will be a continuous mystery of unexpected, unplanned, and unpredictable ebb and flow. Where you are on a particular path, and the curve takes a bend, a point of inflection. It’s often in these points though, that we need to reflect at whats in-front of us, and make a decision. Do you leap? Or do you shrink back?

“leap and the net will appear” - Julia Cameron. This quote has been ringing in my ear.

So, may we leap forward. Into this new month, the next chapter. Whatever your inflection point may be, whatever change you are embarking on. May it be a bend that leads you to something great. To a part of you that you have yet to meet. Because who knows what’s on the other side, unless you turn the curve and see for yourself.

x

-Taylin

Welcome back to T’s Weekly.

1. Ramblings.

With a few weeks into 2026, a big theme I am trying to engrain into my creative work, is the theme of taking action. Not leaving it in the notes, but acting on ideas, creative impulse, and intuition.

Maybe you can relate, but I am privy to convincing myself out of a creative idea or spark of inspiration, because it feels too ambitious, not realistic, etc. However, a big thing I have grown to learn, is that no action is worse than at least giving it a shot.

This space, has provided such a refreshing, inspiring, creative avenue, that allowed me to re-discover how much I enjoy writing. It’s something I did as a kid, and drifted in and out of. What I am trying to get at here, is that YOU can be the author of your life. Write the blog. Attend that dance class. Step into your creative impulses, and wishes. Permission granted (not that you needed it).

2. Media Consumed that Felt Necessary to Share

The art of a treadmill walk, is really dependent IMO, of a solid YouTube playlist. A fresh vlog to watch, or travel video of some sort, really drive the time by without noticing. On one of my walks, I stumbled upon this video by The Met, a spotlight on Sue Cassidy Clark, which I have been eager to re-share.

Similar to my sentiments above, what made me inspired and in awe of Sue, was how through her life, and her time in New York, she just DID the damn thing. You don’t hear a semblance of doubt or justification in her stories. Going to a Jazz bar at night, taking photos of the musicians, or how she naturally started to shoot film at sports events and write about is as a contributor to one of the papers. Was she a professional photographer? Was she a professional writer? Did she study either of those mediums? I truly don’t know, but she truly went for it without gluing to an identity of such, and being rigid about it, and didn’t seem to stop herself much along the way.

We can learn a lot from her in this, the act of creating to be an observer. Not because it gives you anything in return. From my perspective watching this, her work, was based on the intention of capturing an honest moment in time. Not something portfolio perfect. Naturally, her actions opened up avenues, and her words found places to exist. Had she stopped herself, had she not brought the camera, maybe different paths would have unfolded. Overall, she didn’t ask for permission, she just created. I think that’s quite beautiful, and I admire her character, point of view, and creative nature. A well done video, and way to celebrate her work, now with her cameras living in The Met, for future generations to observe.

3. Balancing Back into Life

There seems to be a shared theme, of not jumping into resolutions this year, and instead, crafting better, healthier, less overstimulating lives for ourselves. Reading a lot of other posts, it feels reassuring that we are all feeling this way. ’s note on embrace, well articulates these feelings, read it here for a sweet reminder.

A big thing for me lately, has been how the day starts. As someone who can get caught up in wanting to be productive, and do it all in a day, I am working on shifting this mindset. It’s not about a marathon before 9am. Instead, it’s about winning the day for myself, before it slips away. A slow morning. Blocking a minimum of 30 mins to an hour before my usual getting ready for work routine, (or even on weekends) has been kind of a game changer. I have noticed it’s now something I look forward to.

Below is my current recipe for a slow morning. Adjust measurements as you need:

• Straight to the journal. It can be messy, full of spelling errors, but it’s a sub-conscious + conscious flush of the mind, putting it on a page, instead of letting it ruminate through the day. A conversation with yourself before anyone else.

• Slow breakfast. Not eating in a rush, with a buttered toast out the door. No, this is an intentional moment, and fuelling before the day begins. Paired with a current book or saved articles to read through.

• Honey, we have coffee at home. Yes, my favourite part, making a latte, undistracted, no phone, no multi-tasking, in the comfort of our own kitchen. Measuring the milk for the froth, picking out a mug among our collection, and then actually enjoying my coffee while reading, online window shopping, etc.
  

4. Small Joys.

After a busy period of work, it felt only right, to go … get milkshakes. This spot right under our nose for many months, was perfect. A vintage diner in the city, that had a nostalgic buzz right when you stepped in. It felt like we were in “When Harry Met Sally”. The leather of the booth worn, the silver accents, and hooks for your jackets.

The mirrors above the bar, reflecting the company within each of the booths around us. A girls night over some burgers. A date night with some fries. A group of teens chatting and shoulder to shoulder since there was more than the booth could fit.

This is your reminder, to venture into your local diner and have a good ol’ milkshake.

Another recent joy, was a film lab drop-off. I had been accumulating some film for a few months, and the mix contained film from varied moments in Toronto, our trip to New Orleans, all of which provided a wave of excitement, when I got the wetransfer from the lab.

In the camera roll, the colours of Kodak Gold created a beautiful colour mis-match. Sharing the joy on IG, I am continuously in awe of the magic in this medium.

~

With a new week welcoming us tomorrow, I hope you have some slow mornings, moments, and time to yourself.

Reminding myself, and you, that life is more than an ever-growing to-do list. Lean into spontaneity and keep finding the joy in every moment, thing, or scenario.

“Do not disturb yourself by imagining your whole life at once” - Marcus Aurelius

x

- Taylin

Arriving at night, we were welcomed by a warm breeze, in the heart of the city, bustling streets, neon lights, and some interesting moments, we didn’t know how to describe our surroundings quite yet …

The city is well-known for their beignet pastry, so that was checked off first in the early hours. 90% icing sugar and 10% dough, this sweet mix is certainly a bucket list item (in small doses). Checkered tile floor with icing sugar on the tables and seats, were signs of life in the Café Beignet that night.

My first day there, I had no reservations, plans, or places to be. Spending time in my own company while traveling is something I enjoy, as it allows me to connect with my inner self, be curious, and explore shops, restaurants, and new locations aimlessly.

Hours were passed walking through the floors of Odgen Museum, located between the Warehouse and Lower Garden Districts. Being one of the first few guests in the late morning, this felt pretty cool. No crowd, rush, or noise, the quiet corners of the exhibits were inviting, vibrant, and intriguing.

Work that caught my eye in my wanderings, were some of the below pieces. Each of their own story, origin, and creator, I was consistently in awe of how someone created these, either recently or 100 years prior. Art is a form of storytelling. I love that through paintings, life in that moment was captured, framed, and now showcased to tell the tale, emotion, or idea, many years later …

A notable experience, was a solo lunch in the afternoon, at a spot called Mulates. On the outside, this blended with the rest of the buildings, wood panels, some faded paint, and iron balconies. Stepping inside, a southern scene greeted me. Beams holding the space, a rustic bar with neon lights, and sun seeping through onto the wood floors, from the tall windows. Various framed posters decorated the walls, and the empty stage for late night jazz, encompassed a good section of the restaurant. Though maybe a spot more vibrant in the evenings, this felt like the right place to be on a hazy, warm, November afternoon.

My current read at the time as my lunch companion, I ordered the corn bread and honey butter, and this was a delight. Reading, watching, and taking my time, as the corn bread became crumbs, my soda eventually ice, it was time to continue on the day, having gained a new appreciation for this quiet corner of the city.

A walking tour of The French Quarter, during one of our nights included a comedic history lesson, with our guide embodying similar energy to the stories he shared. A very kind soul, with so much knowledge of New Orleans, we were learning on each corner turned. Some interesting facts shared …

• There was a lot of Spanish influence in the architecture, as the Spanish Colonies helped the French build the city, a lot of cultures merged into the Quarter

• Voodoos are actually not evil, that was twisted truth

• Directions are primarily based by reference to the surrounding bodies of water, versus the traditional guide of NESW. You say you are either “Lakeside” or “Riverside”, OR, where the sun rises and sets, you’d say “West Bank” for East.

• Pirates Alley was where actual Pirates were allowed to sell things because they overturned enemy (English) ships and brought back things … for the general public to purchase

~

The last full day, required that I go back to the The French Quarter, having learned so much the night prior, my curiosity drove an eagerness to explore during the day-time. A sunny morning, walking around, the sky was blue and the cobble streets had soap on them from the morning wash (something I noticed for the first time, they actually wash the streets here each day, interesting).

Stores were taking turns opening up for the day, and on the corner of Royal Street, resided an adorable storefront, Papier Plume, that looked to be full of stationary goods. Naturally, I went in, the product right up my alley, and to my surprise I found that they sold those fancy fountain ink pens! The store owner was genuine, and extremely well versed in the world of ink pens, helping me pick out a suitable one. She shared the history behind the brand from France, even offering to mail me a spring if mine were to get lost (how sweet?!). A souvenir I will cherish forever, extra special that it was purchased locally during my time in New Orleans. To my fellow journal friends, those who enjoy writing, or if you are looking for a chic pen, check out their Papier Plume Online Shop.

The remainder of the day was spent wandering, window shopping, writing, and checking out other areas of the quarter. Lunch at Napoleon House, on the edge of Charter street, and seated in another quiet corner, among tourists, locals, or business conference attendees, majority of us trying a muffuletta salad, what this spot is known well for. The lace trim decorated the windows, the dark, dated wood walls and tables made the restaurant feel like a time capsule, many meals enjoyed here since its origin.

~

Quiet corners of NOLA, documented between journal notes and my film camera.

A unique atmosphere, with lots of history, balconies, and kind-hearted energy, New Orleans was an experience that I appreciate more, having gone through the journal notes and recent film photo developments.

It’s a place that I cannot describe into one word or category, but that certainly sparked my curiosity with its charm, colour schemes and hidden gems.

x

-Taylin

Arriving in the evening provides delayed gratification (for good reason) because waking up early the next day, the sun bathes the floors, the space is quiet, and tall windows frame a view of the snow covered lake. A view worth waiting to see. It felt like a breath of fresh air.

Time blended and slowed, the days while we were there. No schedule, routine, or worries, the intent was to enjoy each other’s company, pass time with board games, cook, eat well, and mold to the cozy atmosphere.

Real-time notes:

• The determined blue jay, skipping from branch to branch, outside the kitchen windows.

• A dark wood dining table, the common ground of our conversations and meals, is where we have been spending the afternoons, evenings, and getting into new board games.

• Greeted by the sound of “Silver Springs” by Fleetwood Mac, as a few of us enter back into the cottage after a stroll.

• Mugs with the remainder of this morning’s brew accompany each of our laptops. I feel lucky to have our friend’s cherished mug next to me. A small example of how kind and generous our hosts are.

• Looking out onto the snow covered lake, “A Sunday Kind of Love” blending through the ceiling speakers, and the fire on in the room to the left of me right now, I feel very grateful for this.

• The afternoon trucks on, the toboggans are out, film cameras scatter the wood table, the dogs eager to jump into the snow.

The last morning of the year, spent around the long wooden farmer’s table, laptops occupied by varied mugs. Breakfast aromas of French toast and morning brew filled the space. Eventually some wandered outside, dogs included. With a man made hill sparking joy, we took turns sliding down the hill, feeling like kids on a snow day.

Afternoons turned to evenings with the sun heading south before 5pm, a little walk to a local brewery felt like an adventure. Off the bend of a snow-filled road, we walked into the blue wooden cabin, were greeted by kind staff, and a lived-in corner table beneath the dart board. Time passed fluidly there, as we attempted trivia with the stack of vintage cards in-front of us, exchanged our one resolution for 2026, and soaked in the warm space before heading back. With a rink out back, it was very sweet to watch some kids slide onto the ice with their hockey sticks from home, circling around under string lights.

Heading outside at night, the stars were so vibrant and decorated the sky, the Toronto crew of us not used to this scene, no light pollution getting in the way. It felt like magic as you looked up.

The new year rung in on a cozy note, a fire, Jackbox games, and dogs snuggled with us on the couches. We were exactly where we were meant to be.

Gratitude was the prominent feeling over the days spent. Being able to stay at our friends cherished cottage, time with our friends, cooking for each other, more laughs than worries, it was the perfect way to wrap the year. In good company.

x

-Taylin

With a cozy welcome to this new chapter, being up north with close friends, time has felt slow, calm, and generous. The year ahead has an opportunistic feel to it. Each of us, sharing our one resolution for 2026, while sitting in the corner of a small town brewery, vintage card games in front of us, and an endearing energy shared as we listen intently to each person’s wish for themselves.

A singular resolution, or intention has felt to be more realistic lately.

In prior years, I would have felt the need to be hard on myself, draft a list of goals, and consider re-invention a go, once the day struck Jan 1st.

At this moment, and at this phase, I don’t find that entirely necessary anymore. Too much at once makes it seem less attainable, more intimidating, and honestly less intentional.

On the other side of 2025 now in this moment, I can say that it was a year of many things. Change, stress, excitement, newness, and challenge. Moving out, stepping into new areas at work, even writing on here, these experiences and new interests naturally taught me more than I could have anticipated, each with major lessons in themselves.

Rather than disregard those moments and feelings in a rush to re-invent, I am more inclined to focus on how I can go into a new year more openly, with intentions that feel more attainable and aligned to who I wish to grow into, based on what 2025 taught me about life and myself.

It’s very natural to want to live in control, against a list of goals, or a game plan, however it is often followed by discouragement when it doesn’t go according to plan. We can’t blame ourselves for doing so, when every other video on the internet revolves around resolutions and self re-invention between the days of Dec 26 - 31. It’s a lot.

Thinking back on 2025 though, I found myself the most unhappy/stuck this year when I pressured myself to do it all, to stick to a rigid goal or to control scenarios, work, and things around me. On the flip side, I found myself the happiest this year, in moments where I surrendered control. When I stopped worrying about what I planned, and instead gave into the fact that life is an output of how you react to it, not how you force things to happen.

Life and 90% of the things around us will never be in our favour or control. However, the attitude, outlook, and way you jump to a challenge instead of run from it, will influence the output life provides you. Your year could be vastly different from what you thought it would be like. It doesn’t mean you are any less of yourself because your goals, plans, or ideas from the start of the year, shifted into other things, or different results emerged. How you feel as a person, whether you feel aligned or distant from yourself, should be your guiding point. How can you ensure you feel like you are living authentically to yourself, following your gut versus your goal sheet? Push the rest aside, and let go of what you cannot control. All you can control is how much you choose to step into life each day, how you respond to the things life throws at you, in ways that align to the person you want to be. That’s when the universe will listen up, and respond back, with life unfolding accordingly. Each reaction, leading to a different outcome.

Life will keep pressing on. More lessons, experiences, and things to figure out, will naturally form, with or without our influence.

As the symbol of 2026 entails, the year of the horse, this is an endearing guiding point. A reminder to charge into life this year with confidence. To be strong in spaces that feel unfamiliar. To step forward fearlessly.

So maybe that’s the recipe. Learning to let go. Being comfortable with the unfamiliar, and learning to lean into life versus being afraid of it … flow instead of force. Lead with gratitude and authenticity instead of doing what you think you need to do, because others said so, or a part of you thinks you need to become completely brand new with numerous goals and ideas. Follow what feels natural and aligns to you.

May you have a wonderful new year ahead. Soak in how far you may have already come, and step into 2026 optimistically, one intention at a time.

x

-Taylin

Recently, my days have been busy. After work hours, the days are getting dark, so it’s been easier for the nights to slip by without being consciously aware of how you’ve even spent the time. You look up from your phone and it’s suddenly 8pm, black outside, and another day is around the bend.

A couple of weeks back, it was a crisp Friday evening, and I was headed to an appointment after work. Prior to this, I mentally decided to find a spot to eat afterwards … by myself. I didn’t have any plans, so why go home and scroll on the phone? It felt strange to make plans with just myself but guess what? It was the best decision ever.

Picture this …

The park I walk through after my appointment, is not the usual foot traffic it has in summer months, but there is still a light busyness, people with their dogs, walking in sweaters, crunching the leaves on the paths they cross. I keep blinking, thinking “how can I store this scene in my mind forever”, because let’s be real, our phones actually do a poor job in capturing the actual moment. With a spot in mind, I eventually make my way, and open the door through, feeling a bit shy but not turning back on this plan. Personally, I really like the energy of a fresh start. How a morning feels when the day is anew, and in this situation, how the restaurant felt when gearing up for a busy night. Tables were set with their linens, plates, and candles not fully burned yet. Some guests had found home at the bar, or those with reservations slowly began to trickle in. There’s a certain buzz, and I just love it. I looked up and asked, “no reservation, but is there a seat at the bar?”. Better yet, there’s was seat at the bar in front of the kitchen. As a keen observer, I was very happy with this, my curiosity taking flight as I settled in and got to watch the head chef and his crew prep their ingredients for the evening ahead.

~

I wasn’t the only one dining solo, it was reassuring to see a few others scattered with me along the marble bar counter, each with their own reasons to be here. Different menu selections, but the continuity was that we were here to pause, and find a moment for ourselves.

In between some bites, I had my Kobo out for a bit, but eventually chose to observe and not consume (aside from my order). Taking note, with the intent of being present to my surroundings, and this is what I noticed …

• on the brick walls above the counter, there is a sculpture of a face of a chef with rosy cheeks, which resembles a french cartoon, like it was meant to be there

• the head chef is leaned on the counter, discussing with his staff how to plate the main dishes on the menu tonight

• another chef is chopping onions in a manner I envy, as my chopped onions are quite messier and disproportioned

• across from me on the wood table, there are cartons of ingredients, each labelled with sharpie on tape, with some right below my seat at the bar, I see little stacks of chopped pickles, a tub of some buttery substance, my curiousity growing at each one I notice

• one chef has a black jays hat on … the spirit of the World Series buzzing in the city, even in the deep corners of a kitchen on Ossington

• I ordered the warm squash salad, and it’s cinnamon, melted butter flavouring has me savouring each piece, the longest it’s taken me to eat a salad, but for good reason, I don’t want it to end

~

The restaurant had that dim, cozy feel. The space filled up eventually, and there was a buzz, chatter, clinking forks. The heat of the kitchen persisted, the orders didn’t slow down. There was no stress though, as the chefs, servers, and hostess had a rhythm, and the head chef in his Australian accent, acted as a beacon in that noise.

A bell rings, another dish ready to go.

The bar counter once spare, has now become busy, and a kind couple takes the seats next to me. It’s time to go, but I leave the restaurant with a lighter energy.

Time with myself, time for myself, and being able to dine solo was an experience worth pinning in my calendar, for another time from now.

May this be your inspiration to take yourself on a date, whether it be a side quest for a coffee, trying a restaurant that’s been on your list for months, or protecting time in general to fill your cup.

x Taylin

I had purchased a dual toned Timex watch last September, at my nearby thrift shop. She looks well-loved, and with some fresh batteries, I was so excited to have a different accessory on my wrist, and chose to ditch the sports watch for a bit, saving it purely for exercise versus all day wear.

Since then, I have enjoyed pairing my watch with a dainty chained bracelet, or some beaded ones I’ve made for fun in summer months. It has truly changed the way I think about everyday style. Something as simple as your watch can add a unique tone to how you carry yourself, and these accessories carry range, suiting every person differently.

This jewelry fascination has bubbled up more so in the past year. Whether I am in line at a store, walking around the office, or at a coffee shop, I can’t help but notice someone’s personal stack on their wrist, primarily, their watch of choice. One day this summer, a very stylish pair of women were in front of me, and I was in awe of their chunky silver bracelets, massive stoned rings, and colourful bangles that did not match but made perfect sense when layered together. At my hair salon, I spotted from a far one of the stylist’s wrist, her large faced sterling silver Swatch, paired with a thin bracelet that looked like a perfect daily duo. I was itching to complement it, and eventually did. This sparked a conversation that brought a smile on both our faces, and I learned how this has been her everyday watch for 10+ years, something so personal, and though a product crafted for many, looked made for her.

To me, someone’s watch and or daily jewelry stack is a snapshot of who they are.

There was a point where some of us were all rocking the Apple watch, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, we were tracking steps! But the only differentiation point was if you bought a different band, or customized your screen.

With metal, leather, or even chain link style watches, not only are they really cool to look at when you’re checking the time, they look more ‘you’. However ‘you’ is. A watch can add a unique texture, tone, and I guess even aura, to one’s daily look. Maybe you fancy a leather band, or gemstones, or maybe you’re more simplistic and prefer a stainless steel watch with a round face, and classic numbered font.

~

If you are a visual personal like me, here are some photos via Pinterest or Instagram, I have screen shotted, and found some jewelry inspiration in …

From the classic, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” film, this shot, scratches all the fashionista parts of my brain. This is one of my favourite photos, mainly because of how perfect Andy Anderson’s watch and gold bangle pair so well. Scrumptious. Perfect. 12/10.

Another view of how this style suited her character so well. An all gold, square face watch, most suitable for a woman set on achieving her columnist goals within 10 days.

The photo above, the person unknown, but they have quite the eye. What I like here, is how the watch is a bit loose, and in a messy layered mix with some other bracelets. Whoever this person is, they are on the go, bag in tow, and their wrist looks effortlessly chic.

in one of her NYFW getting ready videos back in September. I do not know the exact name of the watch brand, but the colour caught my eye! An adorable blue leather, square faced watch, that Olivia styled so well.

~

An addition to my collection this fall, was a second-hand, vintage Anne Klein watch, that was discovered on a late night Etsy scroll. When this watch appeared in my search, I new she was the one!

A tiny watch face, with a David Yurman inspired cable band, with jadeite looking stones on the ends. Very reasonable price (less than $100). How insane!!! I couldn’t believe it. Added to cart, and haven’t looked back since. She is my favourite accessory, and conversation starter. My fellow jewelry-loving friends/colleagues and I were so excited about her.

If you are looking for a vintage style watch, or this note got you thinking … below are a few of my latest Etsy saves (from this same seller!), for you to browse. Each of these have a unique, fun element, that will maybe speak to you to.

This one is so SO fun, glass beads each a different shape, and from the same shop I had a great purchase experience with. Would recommend 100%!. See this watch here.

Same shop, different face. This vintage Timex is the more popular style of dual tone band, but the blue face gives it a unique touch. Did I mention this Etsy seller ships the watches with a fresh battery in them? This was a nice surprise, so yes totally recommend checking it out. See this watch here.

~

If you made it this far, thank you for the read of my appreciation for watches, accessorizing, and admiring style from a far.

May this spark inspiration to pull some pieces out of the jewelry box, giving them their time to shine as part of your daily uniform.

x Taylin

The season of summer, nature in full bloom, all of the flowers, plump trees, and dewy grass, may look so perfect, but it isn’t forever. The same leaves will change and dwindle to the ground.

Mirroring this into our human lives, sometimes a change may feel heavy, scary, or uncertain. How do you know if it’s the right choice? How do we know when to let the leaves fall?

Well, what I am beginning to learn, is that no choice is perfect. However, how you carry yourself through which path you choose, will influence how well you adapt to the change.

What I believe to be a good measure of change, is the scalability of one’s character, before or after whatever has come their way. For example, are you handling a situation far better than a past version of you would have? Are you learning to laugh with chaos versus shrink in it? Are you stepping into the unfamiliar with your chin held high, because you are learning to roll with change rather than hide from it?

I look at the leaves, and they aren’t fighting back the changes upon them. It’s a biological cycle. They know it’s time, and they let the new colours seep, and at some point, they let go. They fall to the ground, and something ends, but something new begins.

Changing seasons are physical proof of the ability to re-build and start anew.

May this be our lesson then, to let go of what we think we know, and to lean into change. Something beautiful may be on the other side of it. And we will never know, if we stay put where our roots feel comfortable. New roots are bound to form, and though one season ends, it always follows with a new beginning.

By,

x Taylin

With that, I bring you “T’s Weekly”. As seen in other formats, this is my version of a weekly REPORT, newspaper, article, etc. To document, share, and take note of life.

For those who feel similarly, life seems to go at the speed of light these days, and I have found it default to move onto the next without recounting time just passed, in a way that it deserves. So, let this be my attempt, at slowing down, romanticizing the small joys, reflecting rather than rushing into a new week.

Without further a do!

Sept 1-7 //

Though this week was shortened with a long weekend, it somehow felt like two weeks in one.

Coming home from Maine on Monday was bittersweet as we truly enjoyed our time there, and I could have spent another week easily. My Maine diaries shared here. To manage the post-travel blues, I filled out more pages of my Off the Grid journal, and added our new magnets to the fridge. Magnets from a trip are essential, or it didn’t happen, right?

Outside of getting back into work this week, time was spent on long walks, or honestly scrolling on my phone a bit too much (still working on that). Though I am one who loves to run, this season has been more focused on walking and slowing down. A morning walk before a work day can set a good tone, and I have been enjoying that, especially a crisp fall morning, the perfect setting for a walk.

Running some errands are always fun. Aside from a mini grocery shop, this week I frequented my nearby film lab a couple of times, dropping off some film from recent trips. I always enjoy stopping in the store. My film stock of the summer has been Kodak UltraMax 400. Sun, clouds, indoor, outdoor, still or motion shots, she is your gal.

Heading into the weekend, I became quite spontaneous. For those who know me well, that is certainly not my middle name, but alas I gave it a go this weekend and am so glad I did!

We walked around downtown Toronto and checked out TIFF, catching glimpses of celebrities going into their cars, getting out at the red carpet, or walking through their photo ops prior to a premiere. Highlight for sure, we saw from across the street … Matthew McConaughey. Thankfully my boyfriend’s height helped out, as he snapped some pictures over the sea of iPhones and people gawking from across the street (myself included).

To me, a weekend hasn’t kicked off without some form of a coffee date, and this is something my boyfriend is now privy too. Sitting and enjoying lattes and pastries together is always a highlight, and something that may become repetitive in these weekly’s.

This past Saturday was particularly special, because my close friend and I had booked a studio date just for fun. As I always recommend, a creative outlet is important, and we hadn’t done this in a couple of months. It felt refreshing to make a mood board, hangout, and style various outfits, colours, and looks.

My friend H has a good eye, and I adore her style in many ways, how she dresses, her food taste, and persona overall. She is both a joy to be with, and to photograph.

Some camera roll crumbs for our time at the studio.

Film is at the lab, but here are some digital shots:

A studio date is good for the soul! Especially when you wrap with some matcha and chai lattes.

The weekend closed out with a date at a new dinner spot. New to me, but 3-months old on the Ossington strip, we tried a few dishes at Central. Sitting next to a shelf of records, with a view of the kitchen, this was a pretty cool atmosphere, and the menu was filled with many good options, it was difficult to choose. If you find yourself on Ossington, it’s a place to certainly check out.

My latte once full at the start of this entry, is now empty, brimmed with coffee stains, and a new cafe crowd of the hour are looking for places to sit.

That is my cue to pack up and head home.

Till next time, hope you have a great week.

x Taylin

A long drive ahead doesn’t bother me though. I get to look at the passing scenes, through the window seat, something I like a lot about road trips.

I spy with my little eye … some Maine license plates, in varied styles which I find quite sweet. You can either get one with a lobster, chickadee, or a pine tree. How fun to choose. Of course the few Massachusetts plates pass by, maybe an odd Florida one breaks the pattern, the oranges on the plate vibrant and obvious. Each Maine plate that passes makes me smile, as I think about the memorable weekend just had. Eventually these plates will sparse out, and other states will take on the mix as we drive along the highways. All good things must come to an end eventually. However we still have ten hours to go, so here is my little love letter to Maine and note from our travels …

A close friend had moved to Maine for school, and we were overdue for a visit. With a few days open, it was time to take the trip and check this state off our list!

Early on and naturally, this place surpassed my expectations. I had some idea that Maine is quite coastal, nautical and woodsy, but there is way more to it …

Character, history, and local love seep through every corner and inch. Buildings from the 1600s stand strong, are restored with care, and face the oceans proudly. The docks are populated with boats, birds and buoys, and the sounds of the water and seagulls give it a kind charm, so much so that you want to linger long and look at the view. Residents decorate their houses and lawns with puffy hydrangeas, either white, blue or the lucky few who get pink ones.

So much to see, you are pleasantly surprised wherever you turn, nature surrounds and you quickly wish you could also call this home too …

Our wonderful friend turned tour guide for the next 72 hours, ensured we saw all the good spots. My favourite one where we started, was Kennebunk Port. A cozy town, with pockets of docks, shops, and lobster shacks, was the perfect place to begin.

The small shops sold lots of houseware, pottery, and nautical decor that had healthy amounts of New England charm to bring back to your home and place on a shelf. We spent some time here, and I happily left one shop with my mini lobster figurine.

Hours passed generously this weekend, where we would walk to the beach, enjoying the scene before us, of people sitting on the sand or skipping rocks in the distance. The beautiful homes that nestled the coast line, had a common theme of cedar shingle siding, in dark or light tones. I envisioned what a morning routine would be like here, bringing my coffee mug out to the beach in my linen pyjamas, or sitting on a front porch with some water colour paint and no where else to be but there.

For the foodies, local delicacies include but are not limited to: lobster (lob-stah!), clam chowder, and blueberries (in pies, ice cream, or lattes).

Ticking a lobster roll off my bucket list, our weekend kicked-off in the best place to do so, at Luke’s Lobster. Perched on a high top table, we caught up over red basket dishes of fried fish, pickles, and heaping lobster rolls … and I now get the lobster hype.

The food here was always accompanied by kind service, and it was easy to get lost in people watching while you waited for your order. I’d tune into what was happening around us, the small family maybe local or from out of town? Or the elderly couple enjoying some fried haddock with their chocolate lab dog below at their feet. Lunch at a spot called Mabel’s Lobster Claw, was quite sweet. Our waitress very kind, with a gold fish style hairpin in her ponytail. The restaurant had blue wood siding and tables out front, where you could walk back to the ocean if you wanted to, or take a few steps back to the town and shops, the perfect spot in-between.

Our days ended back in Portland each night, walking through the streets, passing by crowded restaurants or bustling bars, some live music off in the distance. The neon lobster signs lined the Harbourfront and you could have your pick at a spot for dinner.

The best way to end our trip, was to go where the fun started, at Luke’s Lobster. Walking downtown in Portland, the pink sky made the harbour stand out in a beautiful way. The boats along the dock looked like they belonged in a painting. The half moon above them and the pink and orange sky setting the scene. It was a post card moment. Dinner was spent outside on the back dock of Luke’s, our conversation stretching into the night as the sunset turned to dark blue and faint stars in the sky. Locals putting on windbreakers and enjoying their dishes and conversations as well around us. The best way to close the weekend here …

The road trip home continues and as predicted, the Maine license plates are no longer passing by. Though this trip and story comes to a close, I will forever remember the few days spent in Maine and am very grateful we got to do so.

As their license plates said:

“The way life should be”

& I 100% agree! Till next time Maine 🦞.

By,

x Taylin

We were wandering around, and stumbled across a corner cafe. The windows damp from the bustling conversations inside, on the winter afternoon. The blue painted doors and aroma of pastries were inviting, so we decided to check it out, stay a while.

Little did I know, we were about to unlock a portal.

This cafe quickly became our safe haven, no matter what the day entailed, if we needed to sit, enjoy a latte and write, back to our portal we went. I consider this a portal very much so, because though we didn’t physically leave Germany, my mind, it felt like it transported to a new space. The noise of the customers would tune out, and my pen would scribble across my journal pages. I felt like I was in a little bubble, with my cappuccino the side kick to this creative experience. Ideas flowed, memories noted, and feelings pivoted. We would leave our corner table, coffee stained cups, croissant crumbs, and step back into the city, feeling anew.

This experience ignited a love not only for a barista crafted cappuccino, but also, cafes - a new portal. A space to check-out, write, read, and be someone else for an hour or two.

Since that time in my life, I have become hyper aware of cafes in my neighbourhood. They were always there, but now I view them differently. If I need to re-connect with myself, and tune out the world for a bit, I pack my purse and off to a cafe I go. And nine times out of ten, I will leave the portal, always a different, better me.

Recently moving to a new city, this has been an exciting adventure, pinning cafes nearby in my Google maps for later. There is one in particular, where I find myself itching to go back often, sort of like Patti Smith and her precious Cafe Uno.

The staff who operate are kind, and the place is always buzzing not with people talking, but people in their own little words. You can feel the creative energy radiate in the air around. Reading, writing, typing away on their laptops, headphones in, world out. These people are unknowingly, in a portal, and I smile to see it. Maybe it’s not just me. Maybe this is all something we experience in our own ways, in these coffee scented four corners.

In a noisy world, where we can get lost in our phones, thoughts, or our day to day, having a space to tune out, a personal portal, is extremely invaluable.

Maybe for me it’ll be cafes, since the special one in Germany.

Maybe for others it’s a walk in a particular neighbourhood, a certain book, or a song.

What’s your portal?

By,

x Taylin

Back track to a few months ago, I knew I wanted to document this trip differently. Having seen the No Particular Order brand, I had my eyes on their travel oriented journal, called Off the Grid. A brown material, compact prompted journal, designed for one trip only.

I placed the order to the cabin, and crossed my fingers that it would arrive in time for our trip. After a few attempts and some help from the wonderful Margot Lee, the package made its way to a tiny green mail box on a gravel road deep in the middle of Vermont, just as intended.

This journal sparked an excitement inside of me, and forged an expanded perspective. Not only did I intend on being present during these few days with close friends, I was promoted to look closer, to hold onto fleeting moments longer, with the scribble of a blue pen on the butter yellow pages of this journal.

I often write in a random manner when travelling and it’s sometimes a challenge to convey particular scenes, ideas and moments to my fictional journal audience, and I often get self imposed writer's block. However, in this journal, my thoughts had better places to reside, inspiring prompts, and no blocks. My Off the Grid made me feel like I was crafting a little Vermont novel that I’d ship back home for friends to read and cherish.

Notable mentions of this product, let’s start with the design. You can tell that a lot of love and care went into how this product would exist in a traveler's hands. How it would fit in their bag, how it would be light weight enough to carry anywhere and everywhere (yes, I brought her everywhere this weekend). The thick dotted pages that don’t seep ink no matter how hard you write. The brown exterior, and a foldable spine so that you can bend the book when writing, while maintaining its crisp shape. (sometimes you gotta bend the spine!)

My absolute favourite part, was the sleeve on the back of the front cover (shown above), that listed prompts for the 12 blank pages included in the book. Outside of the guided pages, this was your playground to pick the prompts suitable to your experience at the time. Either draw your surroundings, write the soundtrack to your trip, or recall your favourite conversations. This gave me inspiration to truly take note of what we were doing, feeling, discussing, listening to, so that I can go back and relive those memories when sifting through these pages later on.

The journal quickly became part of the crew, and we had a fun time filling in the blanks, picking out stickers in gift shops to decorate it with, and gathering receipts to add to pages (yes, there is a page for receipts - genius!).

My friends took the time to read it through at the end, and said they felt nostalgic already, flipping through our checked-off bucket list, memorable meals, and funny moments from the time spent together.

On our last morning, I left the journal on the long oak kitchen table. Everyone signed, and it was time to head home.

Though the fun came to an end, this journal left its mark on not only myself, but my travel companions. And I’ll cherish the contents of it forever.

Now I have a new travel necessity: a blank Off the Grid journal ✏️

& I recommend you do too!

It’s been several months since I moved to a new city, and I remember the night we did our first grocery shop, and I grabbed one of these jars because I liked the red gingham lid. Among other things we bought, there was a sense of new found gratitude, independence, and a little bit of fear, as this was a brand new chapter in my life, a step outside my comfort zone.

Suddenly now, it's mid-July, the grocery runs have become surgical and less ambiguous, we know where to go, what to grab. The routine of our space has naturally shaped too, and it was in that moment, putting tupperware and another empty Bonne Maman jar away into the cupboard that it hit me how much time has passed, how this chapter of my life has taken form. Aside from my love for toast and jam, this showed me that I am building something here, time has passed and I am not the same as the person several months prior, and despite how uncertain she felt at the time, she somehow shaped her way, kept moving, adapting, and letting herself exist somewhere new.

Time is a funny thing people often say, and now more than ever I have really felt that statement.

Honestly, I have been having a hard time with well … time lately. There is no way to press pause, rewind, or fast forward. Life will keep trekking on, and it’s only when you have these moments of presentness, stopping once in a while to observe the resemblances of time passing by, that you can sort of “pause” time.

It’s quite easy for life to keep zooming by and lack recollection of what you have achieved, how much you have grown, how much has changed, the visible aging of the people and places you love. Moments feel fleeting, and sometimes I want to keep them in a jar for later, to hold onto forever. And while that may not be possible, I will continue to freeze time in my own ways; film cameras, journals, photo booths, etc. My little archives of life, titles of chapters, and moments paused to save for later (jar aside).

So, how do you pause time?

by,

Taylin Moniz

A fond memory of mine, is how my mom would always grab a magazine at the airport before one of our vacations. During our travels, if I was bored, I would skim the pages, taking note of the latest celebrity gossip, or paying more attention to the pages on accessories, top looks of the week, etc. I used to quite like how the magazine looked so fresh prior to departure, and several days later on the way home, it maybe had some sand between the pages, and was more rough around the edges. It showed interest, time spent skimming pages, tangible proof of media consumed.

Nowadays, my phone has become my main source of media, and it doesn’t hit the same as a book or magazine. Hours passing on the phone and not really sure how you feel after a bit of scrolling, and if anything the phone just gets hot in the sun when you’re trying to read at a park or poolside. Let’s be honest, can you actually see the screen?

However, as a photographer trying to share her work, I’ll admit, the phone is a great outlet because at my finger tips, I can share my photography, film from recent travels, fashion shoots, and still interact with other photographers and their wonderful work. More-so lately though, I find myself longing for something more tangible, something to fold into my purse and bring to a cafe to spend an hour or two perusing through. Sometimes the digital media doesn’t do much for me in long spurts, and I need a break from it.

So recently, I found myself at my local Indigo, standing in front of the magazine section. I had a sudden urge to flip through a magazine, and that feeling hasn’t really ever swept over me in some time, not since my frequent trips to the store as a kid, to buy the latest Teen Pop, Tiger Beat, J-14, you name it. Back then, the latest story was about one of the High School Musical cast members and the romance between Zac and Vanessa. Or, actors from the Family Channel, features on them, about their top summer picks, or any teen-targeted tabloid content. And I ate it up.

Now in my late twenties, we have evolved a bit from those, so my magazine of choice: the summer 2025 issue of ELLE Canada.

Bringing it back home, and sitting outside one morning with my coffee, I felt quite inspired and recharged, flipping through the pages, and penciling down certain insights, products, and articles to read again later. Not only that, the photography really popped out to me, the work by Royal Gilbert looked so crisp on the glossy magazine pages. It made me want jump into the pages and join the behind the scenes of these campaign shoots, of the runway edits, the interviews with the artists, actors featured.

This experience inspired me to bring more print media into my life again. For years my photos have existed on my phone. So I went to my local film lab and printed larger formats of personal favourites of my film work from recent travels. Opening the envelope up once I got home, it was like I received my film back for the first time. The photos came to life more on his 11x14 physical print than ever before, bringing me back instantly to the moment I captured the scene with my camera. It made me inspired to keep shooting, documenting, and leaning into tangible formats of photography, beyond my phone and Instagram account.

Now, digital media will continue to dominate and exist, and we should definitely keep utilizing it as a creative tool wherever possible. Though, if you can, I suggest putting the phone down every so often, and picking up a magazine, or even your local newspaper, instead. Consume media beyond the digital sphere, and observe how you may find a new source of inspiration, ideas, and feel an appreciation for the level of creativity, effort, and attention to detail that went into that body of work.

All the best.

T.