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I totally outdid myself last Friday discovering too many new things around downtown Winnipeg.

In no particular order, I recommend checking out the following:

* A new 'mural' behind the City Hall, just across from Chinatown - the floor is painted vibrant hues of pink, red and purple. Too pretty not to share!

* The Coal and Canary pop up shop at 73 Princess Street - my favourite local candle company has a storefront and it's everything I imagined it to be: pretty, pink and fabulous!

* Mur Lifestyle Studio at 70 Arthur Street - not a new spot but this well curated lifestyle store has a whole bunch of new home goods that I'm adding to my wish list. 

* Pop Cart has an UBE Bubble Tea popsicle - if you know ube, need I say more?

* Locally grown flowers from Prairie Blossom - I had to stop over these bouquets while at Alleyways Market. To know that they were grown locally made me even more in awe. 

* Cordova Tapas & Wine - a new spot for drinks, imported cheese, tapas and good times. I totally recommend their cheese platters.

* All the happenings at The Forks for the Canada Summer Games 2017 - As this year's host to the festivities, this place has been packed with tons of outdoor activities including markets, art installations and free concerts.

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(photo credit: Dan Harper Photography from the Winnipeg Free Press)

We had a long weekend here in Winnipeg for Canada Day and so I was able to spend time outdoors, biking around city-wide festivities. First stop of the day was fuelling up with coffee and croissants at Thom Bargen Sherbrook. Afterwards, my husband and I biked our way to the infamous Portage and Main intersection downtown where a living Maple Leaf was formed on the ground by thousands of volunteers. We also made our way to the St Boniface neighbourhood to check out some new street murals. The rest of our day was spent around the Forks checking out all the activities and concerts, with special mentions to Synonym Art Consultation's preview of their Wall to Wall (mural) event series, free postcard-making by Letter Peddler Press and From Here and Away's 'Where is Home for you?' photo map idea. Ended the night with an outdoor concert at the main stage and of course, the fireworks display for Canada Day!

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It was one EPIC sunny weekend here in Winnipeg and I took so much advantage of it by biking to all the events that I can manage to attend. 

Starting off Friday with the first Alleyways Market of the season. This outdoor post-work pop up market will be happening every first Friday of the month this summer and will feature local artisans and food vendors. You know I can't resist the chance to grab some popsicles from Pop Cart and beet chips from Chew. 

I did a LOT of biking this weekend - from checking out the Assiniboine Park, to grabbing some great deals at the Academy Road Street Fair. I can't wait to show you what I got!

The Forks Market was also buzzing with so many activities, including the Makers Market hosted by Etsy Manitoba. I also tried the newest summer kiosk at the end of the Provencher Bridge called Le Monkey Bar. They sold refreshing drinks and treats, perfect for the warm and sunny weather over the weekend. 

Finally, I attended my first Pride Parade and it did not disappoint! From the colourful floats, to the extravagant outfits and more importantly, the unconditional acceptance and equality that enveloped the entire event, it was the perfect end to the glorious weekend I had.