LA-based stylist Jessica de Ruiter gets back to her Canadian roots by spending summers on her husband’s family farm in northern Ontario.  Here, she talks to us about picnic lunches, dips in the lake and starry nights spent at the drive-in movie theatre.

Where are you going:

My husband’s family farm on the Rocky Saugeen River in northern Ontario, Canada.

Who are you going with:

My husband Jed, my daughter James and I will be there for three weeks. And family and friends will come up to visit throughout that time.

Where are you staying: 

The house we stay at on the property is called The Stable as it was originally a sheep barn. Sometimes we also stay at The Mill, which is my father-in-law’s house and was built in the 1860s. There are five houses on the compound.

Brand/type of luggage you’ll bring:

A Rimowa black suitcase (checked) and Hermes large black Garden tote (carry-on) for me. A Filson duffel for Jed and a small pink Fjallraven backpack for James.

Places you’ll eat:

We cook at home for the most part and eat outside. For lunch we often will go to The Chicory Common in town, a fantastic little health food store and veggie restaurant.

Local delicacy you’ll feast on:

Fresh trout from the river caught by Jed and Rocky Run Maple Syrup made by the Lind family right from the maple sugar bush in the woods.

Cocktail you’ll sip:

Spring water from the property’s well. It makes my skin glow and is so cleansing

Books you’ll read:

Wishful thinking with a three year old in tow…

Music on your playlist:

Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor

Gadgets you’ll take:

fly fishing rods…and a camera

My uniform there will be:

bikini, button downs, shorts, and sunglasses

Items you’ll pack:

Eres bathing suits, vintage Levis, Isabel Marant t-shirts, Equipment cashmere sweaters, Crescent Down Works for South Willard puffy vest, Monrow sweatpants, K. Jacques sandals, Celine sunglasses

Beauty-essentials + makeup you’ll pack:

Keys Solar RX sunscreen, Evan Healy Rose Petal Facial Tonic Hydrosol and Phylia de M Clean & Condition, Rodin Crema

During the day I’ll:

Go on morning hikes, lie out by the river, play tennis, swim in the pool, have long picnic lunches.

And at night I’ll:

Take sunset canoe rides, light a fire, sit out under the stars and go to bed early. Or pile pillows and blankets into the back of the pick-up truck and go to the drive-in movie theatre!

Secret only a local would know:

Shop for summer fruit and veggies, grass fed beef and raw dairy from Michael Schmidt’s co-op farm stand on Friday afternoons. You have to be a member to gain access to this hidden gem of a place.

Favorite place to find local treasures:

In the woods