Daytime Stroll In Niagara On the Lake

Yesterday I spent the day strolling down beautiful Niagara on the lake. It's located in the Niagara Peninsula, where the Niagara river meets Lake Ontario, across the river from New York. Niagara on the lake was actually the first capital of the province of upper Canada (predecessor to Ontario) and was previously called Newark (from 1792-1797) The name Niagara on the lake didn't come to be until 1880. The downtown area is a street filled with shops and restaurants, Its a great way to spend a day!  In the spring and summer its filled with flowers and at Christmas time it has Christmas decorations. Those are probably my favourites times to visit! 

The Prince of Whales hotel is hard to miss as it marks the end of the street (Or beginning depending on where you are coming from)  It was built in 1864, making it a little but older than Canada itself. Its a beautiful victorian hotel with 110 rooms. It went through different names throughout the years but this name stuck in 1901 after the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (Later the Prince and Princess of whales) stayed here. Queen Elizabeth II actually stayed here during a royal visit in 1973. 

I know most you care more about fashion than historical facts so I'll talk a bit about what I'm wearing! It's this gorgeous vintage knit dress that I got on Etsy. Its from the 1970s but I think it has a 1930s/40s look to it with the right accessories. The shop I got it from was EXPOVINTAGE, a local shop from Toronto.  I paired it with these knit gloves that happen to be the same shade of cream. When wearing a monochrome outfit I am very picky with shades. They either have to the exact shade same or drastically different (Light and dark version of the same colour) if not it doesn't work. I picked these gloves up at a thrift store for under $2. I have gathered a huge collection of gloves, so that I always have options for different shades of cream/white. Most of them were under $5... truly whenever I see a gloves and they are a good price I buy them. My hat is vintage as well, it was a Christmas present from my parents and I've already worn it a few times this season!  My purse is a little different for me, this summer I've tried to explore different purse options. I tend to stick to the same structured bag with a clasp at the top but I was looking at inspiration from the 1940s and they had a variety of different shapes. I saw this one at the thrift store and its made from real shells!  Its a beautiful little bag and I thought it would be perfect for summer!  It paired perfectly with this dress since the dress has those details that look like shells. 

Niagara on the lake is one of the only towns near me that has horse drawn carriages. I've always wanted to take a ride in one of them but I haven't...yet. I took a trip on a horse drawn carriage in Seville Spain and that was beautiful!  Taking one at Christmas time in central park in New York is also a dream. Wearing a vintage fur coat and hat of course! Carriage filled with hat boxes and shopping bags...ok I'm drifting into a dream world *Manifesting*.  

Niagara on the lake is home to the Shaw festival, There are two main theaters and they put on productions year round! I've been to a few in the past and the actors are fantastic. I'm actually going to see White Christmas later this year (Yes! Based on the movie!!)  This is the theater on the main street, The Royal George theater and I love that it still has that vintage charm to it. The lights turn on when they open the doors for a play. 

OMG the old Apothecary was actually open! Every time I visit its closed lol. It's funny I posted on my story that it was actually open and I had a bunch of messages from people saying they were shocked it was open because its always closed.  It was so beautiful on the inside, its a shame that our medicine doesn't come in beautiful packaging anymore, truly a lost art. This Apothecary was restored to its former glory, it was an actual pharmacy that ran from 1820-1964. They restored it to the year 1869.  (side note: if you've watched Everwood you know Dr. Abott would be obsessed with this) 

This is one of my favourite shops to visit! Beau Chapeau has been in business since 1997 But they definitely bring you back in time a little further. They have tons of beautiful hats for both men and women but I think my favourite part is that when you buy a hat, instead of a plastic bag they  put it a white and blue striped hat box! it's a detail that makes the whole experience of buying a hat so much more luxurious and reminiscent of decades past. 

Niagara on the lake also has the Old Tyme Candy Shoppe. Another one of my favourite stores!  From the outside it has that beautiful old candy store look, it reminds me of the Notebook for some reason, You know the scene where Allie is walking and Noah comes up to her on the street. The inside is filled with vintage style candy and also novelty candy bars and metal lunch boxes. Near the front they also have a section of vintage looking toys!  I love looking through them because of the beautiful packaging... again a lost art. They even sell those little metal robots! I saw this little music box? You turn the handle and the song plays and I was so tempted to buy it! 

After a bit of walking it was time for lunch! The most beautiful restaurant in Niagara On the Lake has to be Shaw Cafe and Wine Bar!  its hard to miss since it take up a huge corner and its covered in flowers.... literally. 

It was THE perfect weather outside, not too hot, not to cold, and no wind... just perfect! I ordered a chardonnay to go with my lunch. I got the melted Brie Sandwich and it cam with a salad on the side. It was delicious and the perfect meal from people watching from the patio. 

While leaving Niagara On the Lake I missed the street I was suppose to turn on and ended up stumbling upon an antique store! and I found this fur boa/scarf (tbh I never know what to call these things) its super soft (Obvs, its real fur) and the colour is perfection ! The lady from the shop saw me trying it on and offered to give it to me at a reduced prince from from $40 to $25! I couldn't pass it up! It looks so glamorous and it will be perfect for the colder months... Although it does look great with this dress! ;)