Exploring the Enchanting Beauty of Wales

Nestled in the western part of the United Kingdom, Wales is a land of rugged coastlines, lush valleys, and historic charm. Steeped in rich history and culture, this small but captivating country offers a diverse range of experiences for every type of traveler.  From exploring medieval castles to trekking through breathtaking landscapes, Wales promises a…

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The Leo List of Restaurants for 2021

I was organizing a dinner for a client recently in Montreal, Canada, and I was shocked when I started calling restaurants to see about availability only to find out that so many of them have closed, permanently.  Yes, it’s been and continues to be a very tough times for restaurants.  The pandemic has wreaked havoc…

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Soups On!

Is a well-known expression that means dinner is on the table ready to eat, and while it might not be such a catchy saying anymore, soup remains a favourite at the table.   A lot of my favourite recipes are actually for soup.  Mostly because it doesn’t take a diploma in cooking to make soup and it…

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The World is My Oyster

“The world is my oyster”, has been one of my favourite mantras for my entire life. Funny though, I hated the idea of eating them and now I cannot eat them enough. I love oysters and mussels.   One only need read any of my French restaurant reviews to see how many times I order oysters. …

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Charcuterie Boards

Charcuterie is the French art of cooking dedicated to cured or prepared meats such as ham, pâté, terrines, sausages and confit.  These items are served all together on a long planche (wooden board) and are to be shared as a group.  Truly the most wonderful thing about a charcuterie board is its versatility and so…

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A New Year: Looking Forward

It can be daunting tying big life changes to a specific date, like the 1st of January, but no doubt, there is a huge burst of energy available around the New Year to support you in making and keeping new habits and changes in place.  “With the new day comes new strengths and new thoughts’,…

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Domaine Montrose, the Rosé Specialists

Domaine Montrose is a beautiful vineyard near the Mediterranean run by father and son Bernard and Olivier Coste.  Situated in Côtes de Thongue, a small region in Southern France near our home in Montpellier, they are experts in focusing on what is important in life: family and friends, sharing and life’s pleasures. During harvest season…

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Paris, the City of Light

Paris seemed as far away as the moon while growing up in rural Canada.  Even when I attended fashion school in Toronto, I never thought that I would ever make it to Paris, let alone become quite familiar with the city.  Paris is my most favourite city, hands down.  Why?  Because it has everything I…

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Pont du Gard, a Roman Aqueduct

When living in the south of France, you are surrounded by such ancient history it is sometimes hard to fathom for a north American.  The region around Nîmes (formerly known as Nemausus in Roman times) was notably one of the busiest and prominent regions of Roman Gaul, from which still remains numerous vestiges and monuments…

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Toulouse, the Capital of Occitanie

Toulouse lies in the heart of the south western France, just north of the Pyrenees, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.   Its other name is La Ville Rose (the pink city), named so because of the pinkish hue of the city buildings built with the pinkish terracotta bricks.    Located on the banks…

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