Timeless Cafe & Bakery

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Moving in together 101

In January I had a moment of total clarity: “Move to Waterloo!” I thought and all life’s problems were solved.

You see, my partner and I were at a bit of a crossroads. We’ve known each other for years but we didn’t start dating until I moved away (from Waterloo) to Toronto (life, you so funny). I moved to pursue a career in film and television and low and behold, I’ve done just that! I have a great career in Toronto and all of my friends have slowly moved here to be young and cool with me. But now I’m almost 25, and after over 2 years of dating my main man, it was time for a decisions to be made. Would he move here, or would we move somewhere in between?

I couldn’t fathom trying to raise a family in the city of Toronto (honestly, I just don’t like it here that much), and commuting from the GTA just made me feel like I’d be missing out on life just so I could say I worked in Toronto. My job, however much is it important, is not as important as me being present in my life.

So back to January, I realized I should just move to Waterloo! I slapped on a timeline of January 2014, which would give me a year to fulfil any visions of my Toronto life I had left and also to give my partner and I a chance to let the prospect of living together sink in.

Some people move in together on a whim, especially when they live close-by and its like, “well I’m here all the time anyway!” But when you live in different cities you have the opportunity to really think about it, which contrary to what my friends might do, is a good idea.

To me, being married and living together is the same thing. You have real conversations about goals, timelines, budgets, finances, and troubleshooting. You have to compromise everything and struggle together to make this whole “partnership” thing work. It’s no longer the “Me Show” and that in itself is a huge adjustment especially after having decades of it to revel in. So we decided our “Me Shows” had a year until they were being cancelled. We are allowing each other to make this last year as epic as possible so we’re not silently resenting the other person for cancelling their favourite series.

And already I’m noticing and adjusting to this compromise business. I wanted a more expensive dining room table, he refused to buy it (and now he regrets it). So instead of being grumpy pants, we decided we will buy a cheap table and paint it a fun blue colour to keep our style in check… Then I wanted a 3 bedroom house rental,  but he wanted something smaller and more affordable while we transition, so I’ve had to bring myself back to reality a bit more.

When things don’t go my way, I find myself reacting negatively. I’ve always had things my way and nobody could say otherwise. But now, its a team effort.

Fortunately, his perspective is a realistic one: he doesn’t wants us to stretch ourselves financially so that tensions don’t intensify between us and this whole ordeal ends in a breakup. Which happens ALL THE TIME. So he’s a wise man and keeps me grounded.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned 6 months after this decisions is that my perfect solution will be a solution full of unexpected surprises. More than fancy tables or lavish apartments, I will finally get to wake up to the person I love everyday and that is all I could ever want.

The Boathouse, Victoria Park, Kitchener

The Boathouse.

An Insiders Guide to Waterloo has some great posts and information about KW. I specifically like their post about The Boathouse, which is sort of a hidden spot in Kitchener’s Victoria Park. It’s a music venue with patio and it’s a really great place to catch some indie bands or if you are a band, I recommend trying to get a gig here.

Downtown Kitchener and Victoria park are currently rebranding the area, as it’s now safer than before, but as any other park late at night, keep an eye out or take a cab in or drive if you’re not drinking.

 

On My Radar, June 11

Timeless Cafe: @reclaimmaterial This place is such a hidden gem in KW. I’ve heard great things but I just have to get there. Apparently this company rescues antique doors, furniture, stain class etc from century homes and buildings that are being demolished or renovated and sells them at their property. But they’ve also made a cafe there that serves lunch and brunch on the weekend that is outstanding. Fresh, local produce are used and it’s just really good lady-food.

Andies: I popped into this sweet little shop the other day but wasn’t in the mood to really sift through much. It’s a store for 20-something women with higher price points than students or teens could probably manage (unless your parents are rich, so whatever!). They have really bright colours, a whole slew of yoga jeans (I really want these), and generally casual clothes.

 

Honey Bake Shop, Uptown

Pain au Chocolat

Honey Bake Shop (@honeybakeshop) in Uptown Waterloo is that place you want to show your friends and get them to try the pain au chocolat, the red velvet cupcakes, the walnut shortbread, the sour cream pecan coffee cake, and the strawberry and cream tarts. I’ve only tried the pain au chocolat but it hit the spot, as I imagine the rest of the baked goods would (I’m looking forward to reporting back).

I can see myself picking up some goodies when we have visitors stay for the weekend, and hopefully meet up with friends for a good catch up.

Inside you’ll find it bright, and modern, with about 6 tables facing the large window facing out to King St, and they also have a cozy nook with a reupholstered antique lounger and renovated fireplace. The kitchen is open concept, with a glass wall giving looming customers some insight into how the magic happens.

They’re baked goods have a professionalism difficult to find out of big cities like Toronto, this isn’t an eager mom selling cakes on the side – these people know what they’re doing.