I checked out the first Toronto Flower Market of the Season at 99 Sudbury today and picked up some flowers for my Mom. They’re doing it twice a month for the season, check out the dates at www.pickontario.ca
Great way to start the day 🌷
Happy Mother’s Day Mom!
Filed under Events, Places To Go
So two great things about this outfit. 1) This onesie was lifted from the racks of a Toronto Value Village . 2) Having a friend (ours is Courtney Draycott) who has an eye to spot such exciting pieces. I ran around town in this nautical number last Wednesday night, starting at “Terraza di Peroni” held at Malaparte – the roof top at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. It was my fist time in the building and heading up to the 6th floor patio on a hot summer night allowed for a great introduction. Peroni was flowing and guess what – the golden beer matched my gold buttons. Score! CM
Do like oysters or do you LOVE oysters? CM loves them and just recently she told me I don’t appreciate the finer things in life because I only kind of like oysters. I was a bit offended, but my come back was “that’s not true, I like lobster.” She quickly dropped it.
In any case, if you’re up for a good oyster party be sure to check out the 23rd Annual Ontario Oyster Festival this Sunday, July 17th at Rodney’s Oyster House. A $30 ticket gets you two drinks and six oysters or a bowl of chilli. It also supports Environmental Defense, Canada’s most effective environmental action charity.
Come out and enjoy freshly shucked oysters, live bands, DJs, and a shucking competition where the winner will go on to represent Ontario at the Canadian championships in P.E.I. For tickets, please call 416-363-8105 or purchase at the gates. Even begins at 2:00 pm in the alley beside Rodney’s Oyster House at 469 King St. W. Cheers! JD
Photo Credit: Brad Conrad/Julius Chapple
Filed under Events
If you’re a fan of short films, you won’t want to miss the 4th annual enRoute film festival! The festival showcases short films from emerging Canadian filmmakers.
Come out to the FREE screening at Scotiabank Theatre on Wednesday, October 13th from 7-8 pm.
This year’s jurors include:
For news on the festival and film profiles, please visit www.enroutefilm.com
Filed under Events
Tribute magazine hosted a pre-party for Monsters (a UK film) before its screening at TIFF. I was almost too TIFFed out to go, but it was being held at Ame Restaurant and I wanted to check it out. Like a champ after a long day, I enthusiastically put on my 5 inch heels and headed for Mercer street…another one of those hidden spots I love (tucked behind King West). Ame Restaurant features a modern Japanese menu and is so gorgeous inside! It’s owned by The Rubino Brothers and is a re-launch of their former restaurant Rain. Interesting fact: the building is a historic landmark and was once home to the first women’s prison in Toronto. Creepy!! I would definitely recommend this place. Here are a few shots of the interior. JD
PS – See more TIFF photos on our Facebook page here
Filed under Events, Places To Go
If you read my post here about the Boobyball, you already know we are super pumped for it. It’s a charity event in support of ReThink Breast Cancer and it’s one of Toronto’s most coveted events for the younger (25-35 year old) crowd.
It’s taking place on Saturday, October 16th at the Kool Haus and tickets are $80. The night includes open bar, gift bags, DJs, a drag queen show and other performance artists. Above all and most importantly – it includes a contribution to a very important cause.
Tickets are already going fast and are expected to sell out in 5 days – FOR REAL! Do the hustle and get your tickets at www.boobyball.com – be sure to click on my name (Julie D) when purchasing your ticket.
PS – The theme this year is STUDIO 54!!!! What are you going to wear? Wait – buy your ticket first before they sell out!
Crowds outside of Studio 54 circa 1977
Bianca Jagger, Liza Minelli, Michael Jackson
Andy Worhol, Liza Minelli, and other pretty party people
Bianca Jagger entering Studio 54 for her legendary birthday party that went on to last 3 days. Wonderful Insanity.
Diana Ross in the DJ booth
Look familiar? A baby faced Tom Ford!
And you should too — boobs are back in style! According to this article.
Filed under Places To Go
Friday night was a busy one filled with lots of first time experiences. We started off at the Distillery District for the Lexus Live event where we tried out the brand new hybrid Lexus CT 200h. We didn’t drive it, but we sat in the driver’s seat and pretended to drive. We aren’t car buffs, but we know style, and this car is definitely stylin’. After some drinks and mingling, The Stills took to the stage and put on a stellar concert. We love Canadian bands!
Following that, we went for a drink at The Paddock on Bathurst street at Queen.
We’ve lived in Toronto for a number of years and neither of us had been to this classic bar. It’s been around since 1947 and apparently it used to stretch all the way down to the Tim Horton’s on Queen. Wild. The interior is incredible because it doesn’t look like it’s changed much. It’s definitely a good spot to shoot a movie.
Next stop was the roof top of The Burroughes building on Queen West. We had never been to the roof and it was a great little gem. Out night got even better when a group of us went to XO Karaoke in Korea Town.
This is another place we’ve been talking about for a long time and finally went to. You get your own private karaoke room and can belt out as many tunes as you want. We sang Like A Prayer, Islands in the Stream, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Shoop, and Desperado which had me laughing in stitches when CM sang in her signature high pitch voice. It’s like no other. You’ll have to join us next time!! JD
Filed under Places To Go
I joined the organizing committee for Boobyball this year and I’m extremely excited for it. It’s a charity gala in support of Rethink Breast Cancer and it’s going to be one giant off the hook party!
We want you to join us so SAVE THE DATE – it’s on Saturday, October 16th and the theme is Studio 54! Picture through the light bulbs and paparazzi while watching everyone scrambling for their 15 minutes of fame. We’re transporting you back in time to the hottest party inspired by the world’s most iconic nightclub, Studio 54. Think high society mixed with glam rockers, Warhol artists and the kings and queens of the night!
Who goes? You can expect over 1,300 interesting and interested male and female young professionals between the ages of 25-40 yrs.
Fundraising Effort: Last year Boobyball raised a record-breaking $160 000 for Rethink Breast Cancer with 60% of the net funds being funnelled to B.I.G. – The Booby Innovation Grant with the remainder supporting Rethink Breast Cancer’s existing programs, research and support services. This money is invaluable in the fight against Breast Cancer. B.I.G. funds new projects, programs or initiatives spearheaded by survivors to help relieve suffering and improve the quality of life of young women with breast cancer, specifically supporting work that is innovative and creative.
I’ll let you know when tickets go on sale. In the meantime, save the date and start planning your outfit! JD
Filed under Places To Go
Last Thursday in Toronto, photographer Caitlin Cronenberg launched her new book Poser at the Berkeley Church. It’s a collection of nude photos she started shooting as a Ryerson student featuring friends, family and people she has met along the way. All 113 of the beautiful black and white photos captured the non-models in full pose, mid-pose or completely off guard – whichever way best expressed their comfort (or discomfort) in their own skin. Best to check it out for yourself – it won’t disappoint.
Every one needs a good Poser dress and this was mine. When I saw it at H&M I figured that every girl should have a sequined dress in her closet but, the better excuse was that it was only $10. I opted not to wear heels this particular evening (couldn’t bear the thought of it actually) so I went with these $15 H&M gladiator sandals. Bag is Marc by Marc Jacobs. Oh…and the lipstick is Nars (my favourite) in Funny Face. CM
Filed under Places To Go, Style
Julie and I had the pleasure of attending Now Magazine’s Pride launch party. The event featured a Lady Gaga inspired performance by Miss Conception and even Miss Margot (aka Lady Kaka) was on hand for pictures. Toronto’s Pride is one of the largest Pride festivals in the world celebrating diversity, acceptance and awareness. The annual festival is a 10 day long party taking place every summer. As I live in the village, it is extra special to me and I like to clear my weekend for the kick-off – the parade. See you there! CM
Filed under Places To Go
We were at the 5th annual SMUT Soiree last night at Audi Downtown where the night was filled with lots of sugar, girly cocktails, cars we dream about, gossip, and good times with friends. The highlight of the event featured a panel discussion with Canada’s queen of gossip - Lainey from Lainey Gossip, along with Dan Levy from MTV Canada and George Pimental - a celeb photographer who knows a thing or two about the stars. Between the three of them, they had a lot of inside scoop and shared some funny stories. Very entertaining. We particularly enjoyed Dan’s one liners! Here are a few shots from the night….
Maynards candy was a sponsor of the event, along with The Bay and Fashion Magazine. Candy was EVERYWHERE! We’re still dizzy from the sugar high.
Sweet wheels.
Lainey, Dan, and George.
With the lovely Lainey.
Planning a getaway with Ashleigh. We were hoping someone would give us the keys, but no such luck.
With Dan Levy…we love his glasses! Tomorrow we’ll be dishing on our budget party outfits – we love to dress up! JD & CM xo
Filed under Places To Go
We were walking down Bathurst street last night and literally stumbled upon the new Drake General Store. We popped in and to our surprise they were having a little opening soiree! We love the look of the store with its rustic, woodsy feel. The Drake General store is Canadian chic at it’s finest. We had fun snapping shots of all the great gift items we’d love to buy for our friends (and ourselves).
Classic Pendleton blankets – a great gift for our friend SJP
This informative encyclopedia would be great for our friends Jessica-ca and Bon Ton
An array of Canadian goodness – perfect for anyone with a cottage in Muskoka
A vintage phone for your favourite long distance friend
A ciggy pen for our sexy secret agent friends – don’t worry mom, it’s just a pen. (For the record CM is fully aware she looks like a ding dong smoking a pen cigarette.)
Other notable items we found:
* An Andy Warhol figurine
* A heart-shaped necklace that said “love this mess”
* Vintage inspired tees
* Harmonica necklace
Check out http://www.thedrakehotel.ca/dgs for more fun gift ideas. JD & CM
Filed under Places To Go
I recently read The Joys of Much too Much by Bonnie Fuller and was lucky enough to get a picture with the author after the Women of Influence luncheon series yesterday afternoon. Bonnie Fuller is a Canadian-born media mogul and the President and Editor-in-Chief of Hollywoodlife.com. After converting Us Weekly into the first celebrity newsweekly and shifting Star from a tabloid to a magazine, she is known for creating celebrity culture as we know it. Fuller’s advice for success is simple – “You have to be your own Madonna” – reinvent yourself, never stop learning, continue to grow, and let the creative juices flow. Pretty solid advice if you ask me. It’s clear to see that her success can be attributed to her passionate outlook and infectious positivity. When Fuller gets asked how she does it all, her response is “I don’t.” Her advice is to embrace your hectic schedule, don’t try to be perfect, but do your best. You need to put a lot into life to get a lot out of it. Thanks for an inspiring afternoon! JD
The Joys of Much too Much is a must read for career minded women with hectic lives! Tag line: Go for the big life, the great career, the perfect guy, and everything else you’ve ever wanted. True dat.
For info on the next Women of Influence speaker check out http://www.womenofinfluence.ca/
Filed under Places To Go
I was up close and personal with world-famous Formula 1 race car driver Jenson Button at the Hugo Boss event last night! I felt like a big geek asking for a picture with him, but my best friend’s boyfriend is his BIGGEST fan so I did it for him…but I was excited too. We had a bit of a moment actually, when I left I said “Bye” and waved to him and he said (in a sexy British accent) “Are you out?” HA! What does Jenson Button care if “I’m out?” maybe he was going to ask me to tour the world with him. Aw shucks. JD
More info on Jenson http://www.jensonbutton.com/
Filed under Places To Go
We had a fabulous time at the Strut for a Cure event last Thursday held at the Berkeley Church on Queen East. We just LOVE that venue - it’s a true rustic gem in the city. We love the courtyard, old hallways, exposed brick, and the random treehouse beside it. So fun. This event originated a year ago in Barrie Ontario when supermodel Coco Rocha and her 11 year-old cousin Erika organized a charity fashion show to raise funds for a friend with cancer. The event was a success and made its way to Toronto for an even bigger and better soiree. The night featured the one and only Jeanne Beker as Emcee, a fashion show with designs by Todd Lynn, a concert performed by Dragonette, amazing DJs, and lots of fun times. If you’re into fashion, music, and contributing to a great cause, you should come next year!
Inside the church
View from the treehouse
We met Cherry and Tamara who told us they are SDP readers! You made our night ladies :)
CM in an H&M Garden Collection dress, earings from NYC, and sky-high wedge shoes from Aldo.
I picked this dress up for $40 at a vintage store in Mirvish Village - right on Markham street at Bloor. There are a lot of great vintage stores and restaurants in that little nook of Markham street. Me loves!
We got a picture with the striking and down to earth Coco Rocha. She is perfectly tall and teeny tiny in the bod. It’s completely ridiculous that the modeling industry has been deeming her a plus size model as of late. That’s just so crazy I have no words. She’s stunning, has an amazing runway walk, and seems like a very humble and caring person. Afterall she’s Canadian! JD & CM
Filed under Places To Go, Style
The sun is shining, it’s Friday, and I’m just a little tired. Perfect day for that hot dog I’ve been craving since Monday.
You’ll have to excuse me for my delayed post, Christine and I were out last night and I was in no form to blog when I got home. We went to the Strut for a Cure event at the Berkeley Church on Queen East with a group of girlfriends. It was fab, and we’ll be blogging about it later. Stay tuned and enjoy your weekend!! Get a hot dog! JD
Filed under Random
We’ve heard from a number of sources that Caplansky’s Delicatessen on College Street is better than the infamous Schwartz’s Deli in Montreal. I haven’t been to Schwartz’s so I can’t really say and I’m not really a fan of smoked meat, but when Christine bit into the smoked meat sandwich, she confirmed the rumours were true. According to her taste buds anyway.
While we were there enjoying the patio, we discovered yet another photo exhibit from the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. What a delight! This exhibit by Jade Lee Portelli and Emma McIntyre is called Before and After. The shots were beautiful depictions of the built environment, both urban and rural as seen through American landscapes.
Doesn’t this butcher look like he’s 12? The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival is on till the end of May – keep your eyes open for exhibits, or check out http://www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com/
Filed under Places To Go
After work, Julie and I walked down to Bathurst and Bloor to check out the goods at Secrets From Your Sister. We are passionate about our bras – most importantly wearing the right size bra – and we both like what Secrets From Your Sister has to offer.
Once in the store, we were more than happy to find that Secrets From Your Sister was a participant of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. Angelina Aristodemo’s collection of sophisticated boudoir photos were on display on the east wall above the stores product – how fitting! All equally beautiful and captivating, Angelina left me wanting me to be photographed by her. What I love most about this festival in particular, is that it always surprises you and shows up where you are around the city – just like us last night. Next time you are dining out or having drinks with your friends, look around as the festival may be right beside you. CM
For more information go to http://www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com/
Filed under Places To Go
There are so many cliché images out there of New York, Paris, and London. Poster stores, framing stores, Homesense, Target, Winners, you name it. Although these three cities are amazing, I’d rather hang images of the city I live and breathe on my apartment walls, not somewhere that I have been a just handful of times. That’s why Christine and I were attracted to the exhibit entitled Toronto by Adam Shax at Lakeview Restaurant, as part of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. When I moved into my latest apartment, I decided I wanted to buy images of Toronto to hang above my couch, but did you know they are next to impossible to find? You can’t buy them anywhere – which made me want them even more. I ended up purchasing old Toronto images from the Toronto Star online, but they are not nearly the same as what we saw here….
Lakeview Restaurant, Dundas West
Massy Hall, Victoria Street
Lula Lounge, Dundas West
Velvet Underground, Queen West
The images were so vibrant, colourful and glowing! They look so animated and almost like illustrations…if you weren’t familiar with the venues in real life. Massy Hall looks so elegant, Lula Lounge screams colour, and I’m actually shocked at how good the Velvet Underground looks. I walk by it weekly and it’s not one of my favourite places because of its dingy and dirty vibe, but Shax manages to make it look beautiful. Impressive.
I wore a mix of vintage and new finds. My classic Levis red tab jean jacket and purse were both thrifted gifts from BFF for my birthday. It’s pretty cool to have a friend that knows what vintage things you like. Striped tights are from H&M, Jazz booties are from Spring Shoes, and my floral dress came from a clothing swap party. How many photo exhibits have you hit this month? Take a closer look around, there are amazing photos everywhere for the month of May!
Interesting Facts: 1) Lakeview Restaurant is open 24 hrs a day to satisfy your late night hunger pangs. And 2) there were many scenes filmed at Lakeview for the movie Hairspray with John Travolta! JD
Filed under Places To Go, Style
Julie and I ventured west of the city to check out a few of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival exhibits. I wanted to be comfy cozy but still appear festival chic so I threw on my new denim jeggings purchased at Costa Blanca for $10. As soon as I slipped on a pair of these babies, I knew that my legs would not see a pair of twill jeans until the close of the still young summer. They are beyond comfortable and feel good to the touch – I am just waiting for the day when I see a girl rocking them at the gym in yoga class or on a treadmill. My jacket is from Value Village purchased for $8; tank is from American Apparel and necklace is from F21 for $12. My patent pumps are Steve Madden and I bought them a few years back at an outlet in the states for $50 – nude pumps should be a staple in every woman’s wardrobe.
There are countless exhibits and installations in the city of Toronto this month for the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival. It was hard to narrow down what we wanted to see but Roman Elinson’s Snowglobe City collection caught my eye. My trips down to NYC always include a mission to find a Manhattan snow globe and sadly I have never come across one. (Seriously if you ever see one pick it up and I would be most happy). Snowglobe City is a collection of photographs shot with the Lomo Fisheye – a toy camera that uses a plastic wide-angle lens to create a spherical effect. To my surprise, the majority of pics were taken in NYC so for that short while at the Cream Tangerine Gallery, I had my own NYC snowglobe. CM
Filed under Places To Go, Style
Every year in the month of May, Toronto plays host to the Contact Photography Festival. This annual event boasts over 1,000 local and international artists sprinkled throughout 200 venues across the city. Contact is devoted to celebrating the art of photography and is one of the largest photography events in the world.
Last night I attended Glen Baxter’s featured exhibition of his trip to Azerbaijan. Not gonna lie, I had no idea where that was so I had to google it. The first image made me think of Borat so that’s how I kind of clued into the location.
Glen Baxter who is internationally known as the host of In Fashion and reporter for Fashion Television spent one month in Azerbaijan capturing the landscape, beauty, people, and poverty. The money raised from selling his portraits went to Right to Play. Are you going to check out any exhibits this month? JD
Filed under Places To Go
Ice Fest took place in the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood Feb. 20-21
I came dressed for the occasion in a Grandma Chic sweater that I bought years ago from a store called Neat Stuff - all you Niagara readers know what I’m talking about. My aviator hat is by Parkhurst; scarf is from Suzy Shier; legging pants are from Mendocino; boots are Steve Madden, and my belt was from a clothing swap party.
Grandma sweaters are the best. Comfy. Cozy. JD
Filed under Places To Go, Style
A few looks from Andy The Anh’s Spring 2010 Collection
The Real Ad Men of Toronto (from Cossette and Grip)
Hosts of Ad Week including Ms. Jeanne Beker (MC of the fashion show)
On Friday the Fermenting Cellar played host to Toronto’s advertising industry for the 2010 Ad Week Gala. The event featured food from The Sultan’s Tent, Buca, Gusto, and Milagro. A Bobbi Brown make-up station was set-up for touch ups courtesy of Murale, and the fashion show was a great success! I was backstage getting the ad men dressed in stylish threads, while the female models were dressed in Andy The Anh, with lots of blues and whites making their début for Spring. By the time I was ready for a drink, they had run out of vodka! I guess ad guys and gals really do get their drink on. Too bad the crew from Sterling Cooper couldn’t make it, I would’ve loved to see Ms. Draper’s outfit ;) JD
Filed under Places To Go, Style
SevenDollarPants