Somewhat terrible photo but here is the travel router doing it’s thing on a train.
Travel Electronics: Stuff You May Not Want or Need
I was out of office almost all summer, and 4 weeks of those was living out of a 35L backpack. I learned a LOT before I went so that I could pack efficiently and effectively.
A lot of people asked me what my biggest travel packing discovery was. When I told them they asked why I didn’t talk about it on the newsletter I said it felt niche and nerdy. With the encouragement of many people, here I am sharing. I have a few other items to share so I’ll spread them out to not nerd-shock you too much.
To keep things simple I’ll start off with my most unusual purchase - a travel router!
Why did I bring a travel router?
When we were travelling in the past it would drive me bananas when my kids would ask me for the WiFi password at every single hotel we went to and I’d have to go through the entire set up with them. With this travel router, they log into the router so it is the same everywhere (the router logs into the hotel WiFi) We even used it on the trains.
It also amplifies the WiFi so if you are many people using a weak signal it helps with that. Lastly, it gives an extra layer of protection for your phone. I’m sure you and I know enough horror public WiFi stories to know it’s not the best option to use public WiFi all the time.
The router is small and we all found it very useful. I think the kids really appreciated not having to figure out local wifi everywhere and I was happy for extra protection.
ps If you look on Amazon it’ll prob be cheaper than the direct link I provided. Boo.
3 Books I Read and you may want to read too (or not)
I read a few books this summer and these definitely stand out. You may have read them already! If so let me know what you thought.
Even the Good Girls will Cry by Melissa Auf der Mar - This is a real love letter to Montreal and the live music scene as well as the schools, streets and bars she grew up in. What I found so surreal was the behind the scenes peak into Courtney Love and Hole. I think I really thought to some extent that Courtney Love’s outrageous antics were an act on the stage, and although they kind of were, she was just a wild and unhinged person all around. I have no idea how Melissa just cruises through and minds her own business for YEARS. A nice companion to Meet Me In the Bathroom. Those were some wild times. I wonder if they 2020’s will ever have stories like that.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - If you have any interest at all in fiction books you’ve probably heard about this one. Hot tip - the main character is very unlikeable but I encourage you STRONGLY to stick with it. Even at the end you may still feel unsure if you liked the novel or not, but I guarantee it will make you think. I started listening to Caro Claire Burke’s podcast Diabolical Lies which really makes you think as well. She’s a THINKER!
Famesick by Lena Dunham - Oh Lena. This book is super raw, honest, and frustrating as hell. Just like the series Girls, you’ll read as Lena makes poor decision after poor decision. It almost feels like reading a car crash. But at the end of the day I admire her. She was a very young lady who had the fire and drive to launch an extremely memorable and original show that meant a lot to many people. But Lena. Oh Lena.
Côneaisseur - Award Winning Gelato in Westmount
I had the pleasure of visiting this brand new gelato spot in Westmount (on the same block as Lululemon) and talking at some length with who I can only assume was one of the owners. This shop has some serious pedigree. Maria, the founder, who studied ice cream as part of her degree went on to Gelato University in Italy (on their website it is described as the University of Gelato Carpigiani in Italy). She also studied in several restaurants including Michelin starred restaurants. On top of that, she competes in Gelato competitions all across the world. Needless to say, they aren’t dropping the ball on any gelato here. They strive to make the absolute best including sourcing pistachios from a certain area in Italy to using specific strawberry seeds in specific soil to get the perfect strawberry for sorbet.
So yes, the gelato is unreal. Yes, it is a bit more on the expensive side, BUT it is less than a trip to Italy!
They will also start serving gelato cakes, and other frozen goods including a Gelato Bouche de Noel.
Please go check them out and if they aren’t busy ask them to tell you about their gelato - it’s fascinating!
Côneaisseur - 4935 Sherbrooke Ouest, Westmount
My probably out of date but still OK Montreal Ice Cream Map.
Also… I at at Mafi in Royalmount this week and it was outstanding flavours. It’s definitely not a bargain lunch (my Mafi Breakfast meal + lemonade came to almost $50 with tip) but it was memorable and excellent (except the olives which I didn’t love).
Any tips on where I should eat next?
A few other things…
Pregnant or looking for a gift for a friend or family member? How about checking out these Doula Approved Must-Haves from Alix at Tender.ly
I know pretty much zero about this topic but I guess there are going to be a bunch of changes to the way pharmacists operate in this province and they will be allowed to prescribe a wider arrange of drugs. Just so you know, cause they suck, if you get a UTI you can go to a pharmacist (or at least the Pharmaprix at Grey and Sherbrooke in Westmount) and pay $25 for a test, bring it back and get a prescription? Way better than 15 hours in the ER. The pharmacist also told me that the years long renovation job they are doing will be a pharmacist clinic where you can do the test and then get the prescription right on premises.
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Michelle Little is a photographer who specializes in family, maternity, newborn, and headshots. I offer studio, in-home and outdoor photography. You can see her website here and get in touch here.
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