LIFEAULAIT

09/24/2024

📸 🖤

06/09/2024

05/26/2024

Today and posted a video with their babies running through the apple orchard at and it brought all the feelings home. This is why we come here. Sure we want to breathe in lilac scented air every spring, but really we want our kids to have that kind of childhood or we want to see the world like we’re kids again, with sweet, open hearts. We want to make memories of running through vines and apple trees, golden sun glinting through the branches in honeyed streams, endless giggling—these are the building blocks of joy ♥️ 📣 POLL: Who’s here for this? 🩶

05/24/2024

The one where the County dressed up in each other’s merch to support and represent! Businesses come and go and change in numerous ways, but the culture of love lives on ♥️🙌 An oldie, but a greatie 🙂 Link below …

POLL: I love go-to County merch! Do you? Post the details in the comments!

https://lifeaulait.com/the-county-vs-nobody-pec-people-gear-up-in-each-others-swag/

05/02/2024

Obviously, the County should have our own film festival, right? That’s what Alexandra and Sol thought in the post-covid conversation that sparked the County Adaptation Film Festival or ‘CAFF’, launching in September alongside a new era of celebrating film in PEC.

And we don’t have to wait for fall to get a taste, because this Saturday, The Regent Theatre is hosting the Preview Gala and we’ve got tickets—for us AND a pair for you too!

Be at The Regent at 7PM, Saturday, May 4th for a viewing of Mongrel Media’s The Peasants (but really, come at 6:40 to mingle in the lobby and explore an exhibition of original artwork created for the film!)

So, go to our Instagram and tag someone who you’d like to be with on the red carpet at the premiere of a festival film! As ever, more tags are more entries. Oh yeah and make sure you’re following both and >> We’ll draw tomorrow, Friday, May 3rd at 4PM so you have time to plan your outfit 🙂

But what’s CAFF going to look like? We got the behind the scenes scoop from CAFF Artistic Director, Alexandra Seay in this interview, so we can get hyped for Saturday’s preview as well as the big festival in September.

Q. What’s the overall concept for the festival and what does the “adaptation” part of CAFF mean?

AS. The theme of the festival is Adaptation, which is an art in and of itself and something that allows us to have different conversations about art.

Q. So ‘adaptation’ here is when we draw inspiration from one thing to create another?

>> Interview continued in comments 🖤

POLL: Does the County need our very own Film Festival?

03/20/2024

It was clear that we had to throw another PROOF party. The last one—PROOF: This Place is Dead—was such a massive hit that our inboxes were flooded for days with requests for more. So here we go, the second Merrill House Party X LIFE AU LAIT kicking off the days leading up to the solar eclipse—PROOF: The Sun Orbits Earth.

🌞🖤🌚⏳ April 04. 6PM to Midnight.
Dress Code: Solar Power 💛✨🌼🍯⚡️🍋🔆🌕🏵️🧈🚖⚜️🔱⚱️🫅

What’s the same—$5 tickets, discounted 30% bottles, will be slinging caviar bumps and truffles + buckwheat blinis, cellar karaoke, fireside poker + games, dance to beats in the parlour.

What’s new—Chef Sullivan’s Sourdough + accoutrements at 8PM, DJ Diamondize, Pop-Up Wine-by-the-glass Bar, a Proof Prize draw … AND THE LAUNCH OF OUR VIP ROOMS!

VIP ROOMS: Our $10 magic tickets get you into the revolving secret rooms where we’re hosting microdose experiences of various types and additional tickets can be used to get what’s happening in the rooms (buy 4 for $30)

🧙🏻‍♀️🌚 reading — Two-Card Tarot
👨🏼‍🎨✍🏼 — Portraits in the Tower
🖼️⚱️ owner — immersive art exhibit
💁‍♀️✨ publisher — Glow-Up Room {mini boutique w/ sun-inspired clothing + accessories, tickle trunk dress-up + photo-portrait x Lonelle} feat. skin boost + celestial makeup x 🙌

The rooms will be open for two hours during the event with limited entry—first come, first served w/ sign-up list on arrival at the party! All tickets available online + at the door and will be redeemable at all PROOF events 🖤

Don’t. Miss. This.

https://www.merrill-house.com/store/p87/proof.html

02/20/2024

The only party better than a hotel house-party is a hotel house-party where the bottles are half-price, there’s a fireside poker table in the drawing room, cocktail-to-club dance party in the parlour, wine-talk-to-karaoke in the cellar and a massive pizza delivery somewhere in the middle.

Tickets are $5 and edging up to sold out. Come party with LIFE AU LAIT X merrillhouse1878 like it’s February forever—this place is totally alive 🖤🍷

This Thursday, February 22nd!

https://www.merrill-house.com/store/p87/proof.html

02/20/2024

Some more from Élevage—including babydoll sheep, Pinot meunière, moon boots, bears drinking wine and so much more 🍷❄️♥️🤍

02/19/2024

Élevage ‘24, in all it’s cool-to-cold climate, estate grown, minerally, even flinty, rained-on, shone-on, wind-caressed, geotextiled, hilled-up, oaked or steeled, magicked up, much-loved County nectar. Until next year🍷❄️ Drink deliciously ♥️🤍

02/19/2024

This weekend we headed out, camera in hand, to experience and capture the second annual Élevage festival. Day 1 was magic, with old friends connecting over delicious local nectar and bounty, music, dancing, hot dogs and marshmallows roasting over open fires. Day 2 was mostly snowed out, with two feet of snow, drifts and whiteouts, though some wineries reported huge numbers of die-hard wine lovers making the trek to taste some great wines ♥️ We’re going to guide our own day two wine-tasting adventure when the weather is friendlier, who’s in?!

02/09/2024

February is definitely the worst month in Ontario, but in true PEC style, we not only make the best of it—we also make it the absolute best.

So, if you’re not in the County yet—you should be. Not only are these winter parties going to blow your mind, everything from the views to the shopping is a ten right now.

Or don’t come—I mean, this place is dead. Check it out for yourself at the link in our bio ♥️

01/02/2024

Happy New Year, County
Here’s to the precious moments and meaningful memories from 2023 and a beautiful, fresh new year to you all—in great happiness, health and deep joy 🖤

12/24/2023

The wonder of nature’s christmas tree 🎄🍎🥰 Sending love, hope & light to everyone in the world ♥️

12/21/2023

♥️

11/21/2023

INTERVIEW + GIVEAWAY | Back at today, hanging out with filmmaker to talk about his new movie—‘Who’s Yer Father?’ ♥️🥰🎞️

Jeremy is a PEI-to-PEC guy and while his funny-but-heartwarming-east-coast-centric film is already making waves with critics + box offices around the country—we County folk have it for one-night-only this Sunday at …and Jeremy is giving us a pair of tickets to give away to LIFE AU LAIT followers 📣🎟️ Tag your movie buddy in the comments below—each comment is an entry—or buy a ticket (link below ) because we should all see this future classic. Winner will be drawn at random, Wednesday at 12pm + announced just after…

🎙️I’ve been hard into these distinctly Canadian stories—from The Great Outdoors to New Waterford Girl (love you, ) to the magical Schitts Creek—so of course, we needed to know more…

LL: Let’s start with you. This is your second film?

JL: Yes, Who’s Yer Father? is my second feature film, and the largest budgeted project I’ve worked on to date. I’ve been working as a writer/director professionally for about 15 years. My first feature is called Pogey Beach and was funded by a Kickstarter campaign and Telefilm Canada. It came out in 2019 and is on CBC Gems and Amazon Prime. Having a theatrical release coast-to-coast in Canada is a completely new experience for me with Who’s Yer Father?

LL: Tell us what the movie is about!

JL: The movie is a crime caper about Larry Constable, a down-and-out private investigator in Prince Edward Island (the only PI in PEI), who’s hired to investigate black market lobster sales by a wealthy seafood tycoon. While working the case, he meets and falls hard for Rhonda Perry, a convenience store owner who’s trying to manifest a soft serve ice cream machine for her store. Together, they get in way-over-their-heads in a blackmail scheme that brings them all sorts of trouble.

LL: Who’s in it?

JL: The cast is made up of some of the funniest actors working in Canada right now: The hilarious Toronto comedian/actor Chris Locke plays private eye Larry Constable. Susan Kent from This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Trailer Park Boys plays Rhonda Perry. Together, they are an incredibly fun and sweet comedy duo. The other cast includes Jess Salgueiro, who’s starring in the new Frasier series & Kaniehtiio Horn, who stars in the hit series Reservation Dogs & Letterkenny.

LL: Explain the genre and vibe…

JL: The movie is like a classic 80s Hollywood comedy, something that John Candy, Bill Murray or Chevy Chase would have made, that also has elements of film noir and romance. It’s fun, silly and sweet with a touch of noir darkness around the edges.

LL: Your PEI people were so proud of the film, what do you think your PEC people will think?

JL: I think people from PEC are going to love it. There is a lot of crossover between rural Prince Edward Island culture and rural PEC culture. PECers will relate to the feeling and complications of living in a place where the degrees of separation between people are so close. And if you love fun, wild movies that mix comedy and romance, you’re going to have a great time on Sunday night.

https://www.theregenttheatre.org/buy-tickets?eid=110536

11/19/2023

👻♥️✨

The ghost hunters investigate the historical Merrill House in Prince Edward County. The building is now a boutique hotel that houses five spirits, including the original homeowner, a Victorian maid and a former member of the royal family.

Don't miss a new Ghost Hunters of the Grand River episode tonight on APTN. For show times, visit www.aptntv.ca/ghosthuntersofthegrandriver.

10/05/2023

In the midst of a writing a beautiful County story for this winter, we’re remembering and reposting some of our favourite interviews & shoots from the pre-County days.

This one with the genius Waris Ahluwalia for YYZ LIVING Mag.

***

Waris Ahluwalia walks into the suite at the Intercontinental Hotel on Front Street where his press lineup is scheduled for this year's TIFF. We’re here for the gala opening of his new film, Deepa Mehta’s Beeba Boys. Ahluwalia, known for his stupendous aesthetic sensibility, is casually wearing the hell out of a sky blue suit, briefly paired with the loafers that are quickly relocated to the floor at the foot of the sofa he falls into. He’s relaxed, generous with a smile and an easy conversationalist. This was the first time we talked, but later that afternoon in the studio, he would knock me dead with his utterly awesome personality and genius capacity for style at our editorial shoot (to which he brought along the astoundingly cool Michael Phillips Moskowitz, who he introduced as "my rabbi".)

***

Best guy, best team, best rabbi…. {Check out the link below for full interview and photos}

https://lifeaulait.com/stories-waris-house-hanging-with-designer-actor-writer-artist-waris-ahluwalia-his-rabbi/

09/27/2023

What a great day with a great guy and a great team ♥️

08/15/2023

As you all know, we hosted the big County Kimjang earlier this year with our beloved friend + our darlings and it was a massive success. Everyone asks me when the next one will be and there WILL be one, babies, but while you wait, let’s look at some other cool cultural stuff we can do here!

I’m such a huge fan of Korean culture—everything from the language to the food to the arts to the people are so beautiful—so I’m beyond thrilled that is bringing a Korean Drum & Dance Ensemble, to Parsons Brewing Co this Saturday! Under the airy, pretty arena, we can bliss out to these artists spectacularly jamming in this intimate space, while we revel in the return of famous Bulgogi Nachos (that aren’t available on the regular menu this summer 😭) and drinking Chris Parsons’ best K-style lager 🥳🫶🇰🇷🥰

Here’s some trivia🤓: ‘Jeng Yi’ is a playful term for a person with an exceptional talent in their trade or craft, someone who performs it with bravado, joie de vivre, and a touch of good-natured mischief.
That’s basically what I strive for with everything I do, and so, I’m extra excited to see this group of exceptional artists whose performance showcases traditional Korean drumming, incorporating sangmo—ribbon hat dancing—into their complex productions.

📣 Finally, we’ll also be doing some cool giveaways at the show for those who’ve bought tickets in advance 🤫🤫🤫 More on this in our stories starting tomorrow!!! 😘

So seriously friends—check out the link below, get tickets for the whole fam, and come watch this with me. I’ll be camped out early to get a front row seat and probably mesmerized for the performance, but I promise we’ll hang afterwards ♥️

https://biglakearts.tickit.ca/events/19532-drum-dance

07/06/2023

♥️🐟🎣⛵️

Lonelle Selbo goes fishing with Charlotte Langley aboard the sailing charter Happy Sailing for LIFEAULAIT

Photos by Tara McMullen

A ways away down the pier at Waupoos Marina, Chef Charlotte Langley is posing in her oversized Ray-Bans and signature Maritime darling wear. She throws her arms around me and I squeeze back as the dock rocks disconcertingly, but Charlotte doesn’t notice – she’s got her sea legs on.

A renowned East Coast seafood chef, Charlotte is the co-owner and culinary power behind the indie-to-mainstream tinned seafood label Scout – and she’s one of about four percent of women to hold a leadership title in the industry, says the Seafood and Gender Equality organization (SAGE), despite the fact that fifty percent of seafood workers are female. I later learned that my friend Charlotte is a Chef Ambassador to the Marine Stewardship Council, the global standard in sustainable fishing circles. She talks casually about her deep love for the oceans, but her sincere commitment to protect the world’s waterways and their inhabitants is as vast and deep as our Great Lakes.

https://watershedmagazine.com/departments/fishing-with-charlotte-langley/

Be sure to watch the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2GNJuS649g

06/21/2023

WE’RE LIVE ONLINE🎣🥂🦪🌊📸

Because we need to share a few more of our favourite photos of Charlotte Langley and Lonelle Selbo feasting on snow crab + posing for our “Fishing with Charlotte” pretend movie poster shot by 🥰🙏🙌 Tara McMullen Photography — we’re back to tell you that, as of this very moment, you can read about our adventure online in Watershed Magazine

https://watershedmagazine.com/departments/fishing-with-charlotte-langley/

So, if you haven’t got a copy of the beautiful summer issue to hold in your hands—you can still feast virtually on our seacuterie and join us for our romantic sail aboard the Sweetwater from Happy Sailing ♥️⛵️🌊🦀🥂

06/19/2023

I’m infinitely grateful to have the kind of life that lets me do what I love most as my work: to talk to interesting and brilliant people, to learn about the world through them, to laugh about the wonderful things, cry for the tragic ones, breathe in the utter goodness of being alive, and support each other’s missions to make the world better in ways big and small.

Here’s one of those days, spent with the beautiful Charlotte Langley as shot by the brilliant Tara McMullen Photography and written by yours truly for the LIFEAULAIT column in the summer issue of Watershed Magazine

Charlotte says these are our engagement photos and the story is pretty romantic too—celebrating her lovely mind, her former lives as sea creatures, and her devotion to making the world’s waterways a safe space—as we tour the County’s piece of Lake Ontario with our darling Captain Evan of Happy Sailing … oh yes, there was also seacuterie and bubbles feat. Scout + Rosehall Run Vineyards ⛵️🥂🦀🦪

Pick up your copy of the magazine on millions of shelves across the region—or wait for it to go live on the watershed website, coming soon♥️