the canadian version of NYC

Sometimes a mini vacation is just what you need to clear your head and relieve some stress.  That's exactly what I did Labour Day weekend when my man and I drove to Toronto (Canada's answer to NYC).  Even though I live only 4 hours away, the last time I was in the city I was looking at Universities with my Dad and sister.  We had a wonderful weekend filled with walking, site-seeing, eating, catching up with old friends, exploring, a little shopping (I restrained myself!) and more eating.  Here are some of my favourite snapshots of the weekend.

the city:

The view from the CN Tower's Sky Pod- 1465 ft high!

Standing on the glass floor- not for the faint of heart!

The CN Tower in all its glory

Kensington Market- a multicultural district of restaurants and shops

I'm a granola so I loved this!

My techie

Outside Cirque du Soleil where we saw the new show "Totem" about evolution

Historic Distillery District- a converted space full of art galleries, ritzy shops and stunning architecture

The Roundhouse (this pic is for my step-dad who was the Manager of Colne Valley Railway in the UK)

Stalkerazzi- Holly & Anya from the Canadian drama Degrassi: The Next Generation (my guilty pleasure!)

Graffiti or art? Outside the Harlem Underground Restaurant

the food:

The Harlem Underground Restaurant where we enjoyed a flavourful meal and spent our evening at its piano bar

Deep fried okra, goat cheese and avocado salad & the delicious Harlem Hustle cocktail

Dining at the 360 Restauarant at the CN Tower- First course: Caesar salad in an edible bowl

Second course: Lemon ricotta cannellonis

Third course: Creme Brulee Trio & Profiteroles

Canned goodies at The Grilled Cheese in Kensington Market

Possibly the best grilled cheese I've ever had- a mixture of provolone & old cheddar

Beer samplers at the Mill Street Brewery (and I don't even like beer...)

Chili pepper, dark, salt, coffee & nectarine chocolate from the Soma chocolate factory (and yes we did spent more on chocolate than we did on dinner!)

the outfits:

Casual at the CN Tower: Shorts- GAP; Reversible Vest- Chicshop; Tank- Banana Republic (gifted from ML); Bracelets- Roadtrip & Dragonmoon; Necklace- Gifted; Ring- Thrifted

Strolling through Kensington Market & Cirque du Soleil: Skirt- Spoof (Toronto); Tank- Banana Republic (Gifted); Clutch- Vintage; Heels- Aldo; Ring- H&M

Exploring the Historic Distillery District: Skirt- GAP; Top- Kensie (Thrifted); Shoes- Winners; Necklace- Gifted; Purse & Sunglasses- Aldo; Bracelets- Dragonmoon & Roadtrip

alpha soul cafe

I am a hard core foodie.  I love the experience of eating a good meal (especially when someone else makes it!) and satisfying my cravings.  I’m not a good cook by any stretch of the imagination but I also don’t enjoy cooking so the majority of my meals are spent at restaurants.  Expensive and unhealthy =sometimes, delicious and easy =yes.  As a (picky) vegetarian I am limited to which restaurants I can eat at so when I find a new joint with yummy food and a nice ambience I am hooked.  Yesterday I ate lunch at a new restaurant in my neck of the woods called Alpha Soul Café.  Judging by the restaurant’s name, I assumed it was going to serve soul food but I was pleasantly surprised by the chic atmosphere (bright purple exterior façade and fresh flowers, personable photographs and elegant furniture on the interior) and the food was perfect- simple yet delicious.  I had a grilled eggplant sandwich with chickpea couscous; the boy had a ham & gruyere sandwich with greek orzo salad and we both had homemade lemon zest iced tea to drink (I gobbled the food up so quickly I forgot to take pictures!) It was a wonderful culinary experience and we will definitely be back, especially considering it is the only restaurant in our neighborhood that is open past 10 p.m. (perfect for those late night munchies and wine cravings!)

This is a fashion blog after all, so I present to you my outfit of choice while dining at the Alpha Soul Café.  My bright clothing matched the restaurants’ décor and it was warm enough to wear this striped blouse I got while thrifting for under $2.  These photos were taken by a mural outside one of my favourite local gift boutiques, Heavens to Betsey but I’ll save that rambling for another day...

Pants- H&M (worn here); Blouse- Thrifted (worn here); Heels- Suzy Shier; Sunglasses- Aldo; Belt- Thrifted; Ring- Zellers


Are you a foodie? Do you prefer to cook or eat out?

almost didn't make the cut

I apologize for my recent absence in the blogosphere.  I started a new job on Wednesday and by the time it's day end, my energy has been depleted.  Since I'm a newbie, I've been wearing ultra conservative outfits (think boring trousers, plain blouse, minimal bling and muted nail polish) which are not very exciting or blog worthy.  Once I get into the swing of things at work I will be back to my leopard print and colourful outfits but I don't want to alarm my colleagues...yet!

I almost didn't post these pictures that I took a few weeks ago.  You know when you run out of poses and you think of something and in theory it's better than nothing cute(like me drinking homemade lemonade) but in practice it does not deliver (like my double chins when I'm sucking on the straw).  Oh dear, let's just focus on the fun and affordable thrifted outfit for now. 

Homemade lemonade brought to you by my boy who painstakingly squoze squeezed the lemons and limes by hand upon realizing that we do not own a juicer :)

Skirt, Shoes & Shirt- Thrifted; Hosiery- Walmart; Jewellery- Gifted

happy easter!

Happy Easter! I hope everyone enjoyed some time off spent with their loved ones.  On my down time I baked Easter themed cupcakes and orchestrated an indoor Easter egg hunt for the boy (he never had one growing up as it was not part of the Lebanese tradition so I thought it was high time!)  As my family is out east in Nova Scotia, we had a lovely Easter lunch with the boy's family, and even though my voice is low and husky from my cold we had a great time!

Spring chick- dyed yellow coconut, orange gummy and mini M&Ms

I wore my new rainbow coloured dress to lunch and enjoyed the (better late than never) warmth in Ottawa while the boy and I babysat his 9 nieces and nephews at the nearby park.

Dress, Shoes & Belt- Thrifted; Bracelets- The Bay; Hosiery- Walmart

Sushi, Shopping, Sequins & Stars

 Date night.  We ate sushi, we went shopping (grocery), I wore sequins and we saw stars (in Narnia).  All in all the perfect romantic evening. 

Outfit

Sequin Sweater- Thrifted

Jeans- Gap

Shooties- Charlotte Russe

Belt- Bluenotes

Nail Polish- Watermelon by Essie