West Coast City Girl

Chronicles of a Canadian expat city girl

West Coast City Girl
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    Holiday Season Survival Tips and No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe

    / December 11, 2016

    We are now full on into the holiday season, which means shopping, parties, shortbread, and, let’s face it, feeling a bit like you’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off. This is not a feeling exclusive to Christmas time, but it’s certainly amplified at this time of year. Unexpected guests, forgetting presents, hopping from event to event (I had…

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About

Hello, I'm Yasmine! Welcome to my blog. I'm a recently transplanted Canadian expat living in the beautiful English countryside. Join me as I explore, knowing one doesn't have to sacrifice budget or wellness to enjoy life. Let's explore!

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westcoastcitygirl

Yasmine | Blogger
Frosty morning walk in Derbyshire 😍 ❄️ Frosty morning walk in Derbyshire 😍 ❄️
#Flashback📍 Disneyland 30/12/19 I was going to #Flashback📍 Disneyland 30/12/19

I was going to make a 2022 recap, but got distracted by my phone reminding me that three(!) years ago today, the 🇬🇧 and I were in Disneyland. So you get a little blitz of the happiest place on Earth instead. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Two months after we got back from that trip, we moved from the Island back to the Lower Mainland, and then the world shut down for two years. 

It didn’t feel “right” to share my California content at such a time, and then my dad got sick and then we moved across Atlantic. Excuses, but I only have so much capacity. 😳

So I’ve been sitting on all that content — and I’ve even updated it to reflect current times. It’s a lot of lost SEO sitting in my WP drafts. I also feel like I lost my blog voice when I was working so much on other people’s content. 

So my goal is that 2023 be the year I properly re-find my blog voice. Work in progress over here. 💁🏻‍♀️

If you got this far, thanks for reading. And now a question: What is one of your 2023 goals?

#WestCoastCityGirl #Disneyland #Travelgram #TravelMemory #TracelCouple #VisitCalifornia #VisitAnaheim #Anaheim #DisneyLove #SheBlogs #CanadianBlogger #CaliforniaDreaming #DisneyParks #Mouseketeer #CanadianExpat
Feeling reflective and content in this last week o Feeling reflective and content in this last week of 2022. 

The year started with some stress but evolved into much abundance, learning, and finally getting back to my happy place: Scotland! 

On that trip, a highlight was revisiting Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands. 

Swipe ⬅️ for some recent and past road trip stops at Glencoe for some lovely Highland views. What is one of your 2022 highlights?

📍 Glencoe, Scottish Highlands
From our front door to yours and whatever you cele From our front door to yours and whatever you celebrate, wishing you merry everything. Be safe, have fun, share joy! 😘🎄✨☃️❤️ 

This was the year of minimalist decor. 🌲 But next year... I've got my eye on making a gigantic door wreath and stringing up some lights! (Little by little, still replenishing after a move across the pond!)
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#ChristmasInTheUK #CanadianInTheUK #CanadianExpat #ItsThatTimeOfYear #MerryChristmas #HappyHolidays #JoyToTheWorld #HappyHanukkah #MerryEverything #DerbyshireBlogger #Derbyshire #CountryCottage #CottageLiving #CityGirlInTheCountry #CanadianExpat #WestCoastCityGirl #CanadianInTheUK #AttitudeOfGratitude #KeepItSimple #SimplePleasure #MinimalFestiveDecor #CountrysideChristmas #CityGirlInTheCountry #JoyToTheWorld #HyggeLife #DerbyshireLiving
Ready or not, it’s three sleeps away! 😅 But h Ready or not, it’s three sleeps away! 😅 But has anyone else felt like Christmas popped into our sights earlier than ever this year? 

I took this little festive clip of The Dome in Edinburgh back at the end of October. It felt a *little* bit early for holiday decor, but it definitely made me smile to see the pillars glammed up. ✨ 

#Edinburgh #TheDome #ChristmasInEdinburgh #ItsThatTimeOfYear
Dear Daddy, as we get ready to raise a glass of lo Dear Daddy, as we get ready to raise a glass of lovely English sparkling to you this evening, it’s made me think this little clip from one of my visits from the Island in 2019.

Though you were always vehemently opposed to social media, your cheersing skills always made you a one-take boomerang pro. 🥂 

I hope they have nice glassware and excellent bubbly in heaven. I love you. I miss you. ❤️
It’s time to get festive! Last week my neighbou It’s time to get festive!

Last week my neighbours and I went down to the village for a Christmas cake decorating workshop a.k.a. girls’ night out. 

Christmas cake is a very British part of the holiday season, and it was a delightful way for this expat to spend a few hours. I also learned great decorating tips from Sarah @thelittlekitchentearoom and enjoy getting to make my cake shimmer. 

Thanks for a fun evening! Next time, I won’t be a rookie and will be prepared with an apron. 😬🎄✨

📍 The Little Kitchen, Little Eaton 

#CanadianExpat #ChristmasCake #CakeDecorating #LittleEaton #WestCoastCityGirl #DerbyshireBloggers #Derbyshire #CanadianInTheUK #GirlsNightOut #ChristmasFruitCake #CityGirlInTheCountry
And… winter can now begin. Big thank you to our And… winter can now begin. Big thank you to our landlord and Tim at Broadholme Stoves for making our cosy cottage dreams come true! 🔥
*BEST EDINBURGH VIEWPOINTS - SAVE & SHARE* Edinbur *BEST EDINBURGH VIEWPOINTS - SAVE & SHARE* Edinburgh is my happy place for many reasons, one of which is all the ways to take in the city views of Old Town around to the Forth. Here are my favourite spots for the best views of Edinburgh:

The Terrace @nationalmuseumsscotland - This is a new one for me. And I think possibly an underrated bit of the National Museum (which is free to visit). You can access the Terrace via lift/elevator from the newer wing of the museum. 

Arthur’s Seat - A short and easy-ish hike, Arthur’s Seat is located smack in the middle of the city, next to Holyrood Palace and the parliament building. This is where you will get the best and true 360 view of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle - In all the times I’ve been to Edinburgh (which is a lot), this was my first time visiting @edinburghcastle. It’s 100% worth the ticket price of £18, and not just because of the views. (But they are mint.)

The Scott Monument - I don’t think many people know that you can actually go in the Scott Monument. For £8, get a stairclimber workout, learn a bit about Sir Walter Scott, and take in the city views from the third-floor viewing platform.

Calton Hill - If you want to get your steps in, capture an incredible view (and maybe a rainbow!), and explore Edinburgh outside of the city centre, head over to Calton Hill. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Calton Hill is also home to several national monuments and the City Observatory.

#Edinburgh #CityGirlWalks #CityGirlTravels #VisitEdinburgh #ForeverEdinburgh #UnlimitedEdinburgh #VisitScotland #VisitBritain #LoveEdinburgh #Viewpoints #ScotlandViews #EdinburghViews #CaltonHill #ScottMonument #ArthursSeat #NationalMuseumOfScotland #ExpatExplorations #ExpatAdventures #ExpatLife #ExploreGB #SheIsNotLost #GetYourStepOn #DameTraveler #ScottishViewpoints #IGEdinburgh #ThisIsEdinburgh #EdinburghCastle #CanadianExpat #CanadianInTheUK #ScotlandGram
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citygirltalks

City Girl Talks Podcast
Whatever you celebrate, wishing you and yours a sa Whatever you celebrate, wishing you and yours a safe and happy festive season. Thank you for listening to #CityGirlTalks and for your support in 2022. 💕 
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#HappyHolidays #MerryChristmas #HappyChristmas #HappyHanukkah #CanadianPodcast #PodcastLife #BuzzsproutPodcast #UKPodcaster #ExpatPodcaster #GirlTalk #ItsThatTimeOfYear #AttitudeOfGratitude
EDIT: I’ve since found out that apparently AI ar EDIT: I’ve since found out that apparently AI art apps like this are essentially stealing art from artists in order to create these images. I am curious about this as there must  or should be a way for artists to license their work and earn money from apps being “inspired” by their work. 

Little late, but hopped on the @lensa.ai avatar trend. Swipe ⬅️ for my favourites of the bunch. 💁🏻‍♀️

My partner thinks that #9 is how I’ll look in 15-20 years — which I’m good with, but here’s hoping the grays continue to stay at bay. 😬 😂 🤞 

Have you tried the Lensa app?

#LensaAI #CityGirlTalks #Avatars #SheBeFierce #FemalePodcast #LensaApp #PhotoEdits
Channeling some poise from the Princess of Wales o Channeling some poise from the Princess of Wales on a day of editing two #CityGirlTalks episodes, decorating the Christmas tree and realising I’ve possibly missed the deadline to send Christmas cards to Canada, as Royal Mail is on strike… 😬 

Photo via British Vogue
*CONTEST CLOSED* Tag some book-loving friends for *CONTEST CLOSED* Tag some book-loving friends for a chance to win a signed copy of a delightful novel to cozy up with at the beach, on the plane, or wherever you love to read! @citygirltalks and recent podcast guest @janiswildy have partnered to give one lucky winner an autographed copy of Janis' debut novel 'The English Bookshop'.

HOW TO ENTER: 
* Follow @citygirltalks and @janiswildy 
* Like this post
* Tag a friend or two or more below! (Each comment counts as a separate entry.)

That's it, good luck! 

Fine print: Contest closes at 11:59pm PT on 16 August 2022. Winner will be announced on stories and contacted via DM. Open to 18+ residents of Canada and the continental USA. Must have a public IG account. This contest is not affiliated or run by Meta/Instagram. 

#CityGirlTalks #TheEnglishBookshop #Giveaway #Contest #BookGiveaway #WhatImReading #AnglophilesUnite #Anglophile
NEW EPISODE: The latest #CityGirlTalks episode fea NEW EPISODE: The latest #CityGirlTalks episode features @janiswildy, author of the delightful novel ‘The English Bookshop. Loved our chat, which includes:

* Janis’ top 3 tips for someone wanting to write a novel 
* Our mutual love of all things English
* Following your career dreams 
* The fear and ultimate joy of solo travel
* Waking up to your life and feeling magnificent 

🎧 Link in bio or visit citygirltalks.buzzsprout.com to listen and share!

#CityGirlTalks #JanisWildy #Anglophile #WestCoastCityGirl #CanadianPodcast #Anglophilia #BuzzsproutPodcasts #PodcastLife #NewEpisode #WritingTips
Us purple gals always have a way of finding each o Us purple gals always have a way of finding each other. 💟 New episode with @janiswildy goes live tomorrow!  Stay tuned! #CityGirlTalks
Looking for your next good read? Recent guest @cla Looking for your next good read? Recent guest @clairelindsayvo is a voracious reader and she shared some excellent book recos on her episode. Swipe left ⬅ or scroll below for Claire's recent reads.

Girl, Woman, Other by @bernardineevaristo
Dirty Birds by @morganeliasmurray 
Seven Fallen Feathers by @tanyatalaga_author 
The Law of One by Jim McCarty
Pussy: A Reclamation by @mamagena 
Non-Violent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg

Save and share with a fellow bookworm! 
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#CityGirlTalks #WhatImReading #BookRecomendations #BuzzsproutPodcast #Goodreads
It's pretty exciting over here in the UK with Her It's pretty exciting over here in the UK with Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee coming up next week. Personally, I adore her and think she's wonderful. She's 96, folks — and she still has her faculties, a twinkle in her eye, and an overall good spirit. 

Say what you want about the Royal Family, but I'm a fan. My Granny was a royalist and she'd be thrilled for me that I get to experience this cultural event. As an expat, I really look forward to seeing how the future generations step up and how the country evolves in the next few years.

Now, the important question: do I buy a fancy hat (or fascinator) to commemorate the occasion?

(Photo: the brilliant @chrisjacksongetty) #CityGirlTalks #TheRoyalFamily #HerMajesty #PlatinumJubilee #CanadianExpat
NEW EPISODE: In this episode, I catch up with voic NEW EPISODE: In this episode, I catch up with voiceover artist and digital nomad @clairelindsayvo. It's an episode filled with laughter and fun, where Claire shares her journey of personal development and we chat yoga, surviving divorce, books and how we've changed our relationship with money.

🎧  Link in bio to listen, leave a review and share with a friend. Your support means the world. 💜
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#CityGirlTalks #CanadianPodcast #UKPodcast
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Yasmine's bookshelf: currently-reading

The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources
The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources
by Lynne Twist
The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith
The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith
by Gabrielle Bernstein
Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life beyond Your Wildest Dreams
Super Attractor: Methods for Manifesting a Life beyond Your Wildest Dreams
by Gabrielle Bernstein
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone
by Diana Gabaldon
A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee
A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee
by Joanna Lumley

goodreads.com

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