Hey there, it's Jenna from Smitten blogging here today to do a "hometown tour" As the only Canadian of the bunch I thought this would be a lot of fun to give everyone a look into where I live! I'm from St. Albert, Alberta, Canada, which basically is like a suburb to the capital of Alberta, Edmonton. So this post kind of combines the two, because they're both so important to me.
To eat
There are SO many amazing resteraunts and cafes in St.albert and Edmonton that it's hard to narrow it down to a few as my favourite.
For sweets: Duchess bake shop is the best, hands down, no competition in my heart!
For Coffee: Second Cup by my house, I know the owners and they treat Mr. Duke so well (he gets loads of treats)
For Eats:
I've mentioned Urban Diner and Sugarbowl as my favourite places to brunch/lunch, and if you follow me on Instagram you know I frequent the Next Act Pub on whyte ave whenever I'm in that area. They have such delicious, fresh options, and even though I'm not a vegetarian I have to give them props for having the BEST veggie burger in the city. Plus they have Alley Kat on tap, which is an amazing local brewery.
In St. Albert, my best friend and I frequent Saigon Cuisine for their amazing selection of Vietnamese food, they even know us by name!
For sweets: Duchess bake shop is the best, hands down, no competition in my heart!
For Coffee: Second Cup by my house, I know the owners and they treat Mr. Duke so well (he gets loads of treats)
For Eats:
I've mentioned Urban Diner and Sugarbowl as my favourite places to brunch/lunch, and if you follow me on Instagram you know I frequent the Next Act Pub on whyte ave whenever I'm in that area. They have such delicious, fresh options, and even though I'm not a vegetarian I have to give them props for having the BEST veggie burger in the city. Plus they have Alley Kat on tap, which is an amazing local brewery.
In St. Albert, my best friend and I frequent Saigon Cuisine for their amazing selection of Vietnamese food, they even know us by name!
To Do
Biking or walking the amazing trail systems
My favourite part about living in St. Albert is definitely the trail systems and how it feels like a small town (because i can't go anywhere without seeing someone I know) but has everything I need. Mr. Duke and I spend a lot of our time in the summer and winter walking the trails by the river which are close to our house.
While there is a lot more to do in the summer months (Edmonton isn't called Festival City for nothing) there is some serious charm to the winter months and how beautiful it can end up looking (even if we're freezin' our buns off) Of course there are a plethora of things to do in St. Albert and Edmonton, I just focused on what I do in my spare time, which honestly is walking Mr.Duke.
My favourite part about living in St. Albert is definitely the trail systems and how it feels like a small town (because i can't go anywhere without seeing someone I know) but has everything I need. Mr. Duke and I spend a lot of our time in the summer and winter walking the trails by the river which are close to our house.
While there is a lot more to do in the summer months (Edmonton isn't called Festival City for nothing) there is some serious charm to the winter months and how beautiful it can end up looking (even if we're freezin' our buns off) Of course there are a plethora of things to do in St. Albert and Edmonton, I just focused on what I do in my spare time, which honestly is walking Mr.Duke.
Movies!!!
Also I love me a good movie and there are a few really wonderful Old Theatres in Edmonton, The Garneau and Princess theatres are fantastic places to take in a flick. Such a unique viewing experience to watch a movie in a theatre with a balcony, and theres so much history to these buildings!
I almost forgot to mention my hometown teams, GO ESKIMOS AND GO OILERS. I love me some NHL and CFL sporting events :)
I almost forgot to mention my hometown teams, GO ESKIMOS AND GO OILERS. I love me some NHL and CFL sporting events :)
To Shop:
Edmonton is home to the largest mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall is only a 15-20 minute drive from my house which often spells trouble for my bank account. But Whyte Ave is home not only to my favourite restaurants but local boutiques as well. Such as Bamboo Ballroom, Loft 82, Oak and Fort, and my favourite spot for Vintage fashions Divine and Decadence are also located on the ave.
Edmonton is home to the largest mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall is only a 15-20 minute drive from my house which often spells trouble for my bank account. But Whyte Ave is home not only to my favourite restaurants but local boutiques as well. Such as Bamboo Ballroom, Loft 82, Oak and Fort, and my favourite spot for Vintage fashions Divine and Decadence are also located on the ave.
Gorgeous view of Downtown Edmonton
Thanks for reading!!
xo JennaD
This is awesome and makes me want to come hang out in Canada!
ReplyDeleteCome hang out in Canada!!1
DeleteThis is such an awesome post, Jenna!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and the way you take a tour through Canada and I would really like to visit there some day and try Sugarbowl for sure.
ReplyDeletexoDale
http://www.savvyspice.com
This is so cute Jenna! I've never been to Canada and St. Albert looks like the perfect place to start...I want to hop a plane and go!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! You should definitely visit sometime ;)
DeleteYour hometown seems so great! I would love to visit Canada!!
ReplyDeleteXo, Hannah
sweetsweetnoir.net
I loved hearing more about your hometown Jenna! Your city reminds me a bit of Denver in the fact thats its not too big, has great biking systems, and lots of good local places to eat! I wish I could visit someday, the places where you walk Mr Duke look gorgeous! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Yeah we have some gorgeous scenery which makes up for our crappy winters haha.
DeleteI LOVED seeing and hearing a bit about your town Jenna! It looks absolutely gorgeous and I def am jealous of all of those wonderful bike trails, just getting to/from work on my bike can on occasion, be a stressor over here for me. Looks absolutely gorgeous in winter, although I dont know if i could handle that cold. Wonderful post! Oh & love the coffee shop that spoils Mr. Duke : )
ReplyDeleteCuddly Cacti
Mitla Moda
Thank you so much!! I love the biking/walking trails soo much, it's honestly why i'm so reluctant to move out, where shall duke and I walk?! Yeah he's a spoiled bb
DeleteAnd the cold sucks. But I've been here my whole life, so i supposed i'm used to it? As used to -20 as one can be
I never realized you were from St. Albert Jenna! I figured with all the whyte ave visiting you do you must at least live in the city. ;p I'm impressed it only takes 20 minutes to get to WEM, it takes me 40! I guess you probably take the Henday? Haha, anyway, awesome post! I love hearing about peoples favorite spots in town! My favorite spot is 104th st. The Mercer, Roast, Cavern, and Cask and Barrel for the win!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE mercer and cask and barrel too! I'm always on whyte because my bff's live on whyte so that's where we usually hang out.
DeleteWith the henday getting to WEM is closer to 15 now! It's dangerous for me!!
xJennaD
This was so fun to read Jenna! Especially since I've never been to Canada other than to see Niagra Falls. You're making me crave a veggie burger really bad! And those are some gorgeous trails to walk cute little Mr. Duke on! :)
ReplyDeleteJessi