Best of Toronto - NOW Magazine

Now Magazine has tabulated some of the votes for the BEST in TORONTO! You can find anything from the best Emerging Author to the best Underwear Store! Crazy, I know! The issue comes out every October. Below are some of Toronto's Best this year!!

Best manicures and pedicures
Heartbreaker
889 Dundas West

416-869-0440

A bordello of beautiful nails started by Shelley Ring and Tareleigh Wallace from the Barberella salon next door, Heartbreaker paints up manis and pedis using eco-friendly, bold-hued lacquers.

Best shoes
Imelda
123 Roncesvalles

647-344-1006

Cathryn Dajka proved her taste in footwear is as refined as her clothing buys for Frock (down the street) when she opened Imelda and stocked the shoe shop with the hottest heels and boots ever to walk down Roncy.

Best sex supplies
Come As You Are
701 Queen West

416-504-7934

Shoppers looking for a sex-positive spot are invited check out Come As You Are for lustful selections.

Best vintage furniture
Smash
2880 Dundas West

416-762-3113

Paul Mercer has given up Jesus (the massive hot pink statue of G-O-D’s favourite son has vanished from the floor of his Junction salvage store) and found a side business in silk screening, filling Toronto poster shops with the Keep Calm and Carry On bills that cheered us through 2009’s economic slump.

Best florist
Petals
416-843-2840

It doesn’t have a storefront, so picking Erin Perri and Avissa Mojtahedi’s Petals might look like a leap of faith, but the duo’s architecture and interior design backgrounds guarantee creative arrangements that think outside the bouquet

Check out NOW Magazine for more on the BEST! Also, have your say in the Best of Toronto -Cast your vote here!

Lots to do this weekend!

This is my type of party. Where there will be attractive women in one location..men are surely to follow! lol

FEMME FATALE

Thursday, October 29, 20095:00 PM - 2:00 AM

Ultra Supper Club Toronto ON , 314 Queen Street West, Toronto

21+

Dress Code: Style Code


*****

Check below for all the exciting Halloween costume parties happening! What are you going to be??

EMBASSY NIGHTCLUB

117 Peter St. Downtown, Toronto

$1000 in Best Costume Prizes

Music by BABA KAHN, KID KUT, KNOXX, SNAX, ONE TOUCH

Hosted by Z103.5 personalityPETER KASH
****

Amnesia - Halloween Extravaganza

Sound Academy 2

11 Polson Piers

DJ Starting from Scratch

DJ Jason Chambers

Lots of giveaways, mature crowd

********

Hugs for Teachers

I saw this book recently in Indigo, and its on sale now! Very eye-opening. We often place small importance on the value of educators. Check out this book! Celebrate a teacher you know!

Teachers are unsung heroes that can deeply affect the lives of their students, providing not only knowledge, but inspiration and encouragement to nourishing children's' minds and spirits. Because they give so much to others, it's time we gave something back. Hugs for Teachers expresses warm-hearted affection and appreciation for all that teachers do to mould young lives. Martha McKee, a teacher herself, offers a wonderful gift for any teacher. The best-selling Hugs books have quickly become one of the best-selling with over 900,000 copies sold.

Now, the Little Book of Hugs series is launched and includes Hugs for Mom, Hugs for Sisters, Hugs for Friends, Hugs to Encourage and Inspire, Hugs for Women, and Hugs for Teachers.

"FREE" For a Good Man by Stone

WORK-IN-PROGRESS, SINGLE, AFRICAN AMERICAN female seeking a male preferably 6 ft or better, chocolate skin tone, athletic frame, upper six figure salary, lustful smile, stylish footwear with matching belt, dons designer attire, purchases expensive watches, has utmost distaste for replica and knock-offs, homeowner in upscale neighborhood, frequent patron at linen tablecloth restaurants, exclusive credit card member, ability to command "envy me" stares when out in public, drives automobiles of distinction and vacations in exotic locations.

Am I another female hypnotized by illusions of glamour, superficial, morally-compromising, deceiving conformities ever-present in this world? There are numerous magazines, talk-shows, movies and lifestyles of the rich and famous shows that encouraged my "Good Man" standards list. Why am I a willing participant of fads, latest styles, clichés and absurd expectations?

I've often thought about my standards and expectations for what I consider an ideal mate. My check-list routinely consists of height, complexion, physique and willingness to cater to my every whim. Everyday I question myself about my obvious shallowness. In my opinion, outward appearance and financial stability should be bullet points. After all, attraction and lifestyle are key components when selecting a mate. But it should not be the deciding factors.

As I mature and exercise wisdom, my interaction with guys and conversations with girlfriends in solid relationships, allow me to focus more on genuine measures of a man and less on possible fleeting characteristics. I recently read a book titled "Who are you." It motivated me to consider if answering that question honestly, would lead me to the reason for the type of men I've encountered in my past and possibly help me to define meaningful attributes for my "Good Man."

Loneliness is a reality I face daily which reinforces the importance of my new-found self-imposed criteria. FREE FOR A GOOD MAN; spiritual, respectful, trustworthy, spoiled, stimulating, spontaneous, cultural, adventurous, grounded, positive attitude, selfless female seeking same with opportunities for improvement and growth.

By Stone
Check out some more of her work at Timbooktu.com

Halloween is coming..

Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in October and November 1 beginning at 7pm, Canada’s Wonderland transforms into Canada’s largest, creepiest and most sinister event – Halloween Haunt.

Brave souls who dare to enter Halloween Haunt will find all your favourite mazes plus 2 new mazes and an all-new live show! Most of the park’s regular rides and attractions will also be operating – all while in the dark.

Canada's Wonderland
9580 Jane Street
(905) 832-8131

Friday October 2 - Sunday November 1, 2009

7pm to Midnight

Regular admission (on-line): $29.95
Season Pass holders admission (on-line): $24.99

LG Fashion Week - a few pics

And the fun begins...

Joe Fresh - Spring 2010 Collection

LOVAS Wesley Badanjak - Spring 2010 Collection



Also check out the video for Pink Tartan!! (I would add mine but it's filmed horizontally...oops!)

Pink Tartan at Toronto Fashion Week ENJOY!

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Cafe Crepe

Yummy, yummy, yummy in your tummy, tummy, tummy!

Importing the tradition of the classic European cafe to North America, with Parisian crepes, French baguette sandwiches, grilled Italian panini and exceptional Italian roasted Illy coffee.

This is a great late night dessert spot. Takeout is usually quick with additional seating available in the back. Some fan favourites 'Chocolate Banana', 'Cinammon Sugar', my personal favourite is Blueberry jam!! Mmmmm!

The crepes are made fresh in front of you by their skilled staff. Located conveniently across the street from the Muchmusic Building.

246 Queen Street West

Toronto, Ontario

Tel: 416-260-1611

Sample Sale!!

Check out the Beckerman Girls and Showdown Vintage this weekend!
I will definitely be in attendance! See you there!

Beckerman

Looking for inspiration to acheive your goals?

"I can't do it" never yet accomplished anything; "I will try" has performed wonders.
-George P. Burnham

Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
-Francis of Assisi

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.
-Anatole France

If not us, who? If not now, when?
-Kennedy, John F.

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

I am currently reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I highly recommend this book!!

In Outliers, Gladwell examines the factors that contribute to high levels of success. To support his thesis, he examines the causes of why the majority of Canadian ice hockey players are born in the first few months of the calendar year, how Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates achieved his extreme wealth, and how two people with exceptional intelligence, Christopher Langan and J. Robert Oppenheimer, end up with such vastly different fortunes.

Love this quote from the book:

"Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good."

Get a copy! You'll enjoy it!

Night Moves - Adrian Hayles

This past weekend we dibbled and dabbled into the cool selections of Toronto Night Life! On Saturday night, we stumbled upon Night Moves at the Rivoli on Queen St W., where Artist Adrian Hayles displayed his artwork to the masses.

Compelled to satisfy the demand for art that caters to the party environment, Adrian created a series of paintings that embody the essence of the nightlife called "Night Moves".

The energy, the flow, the movement and the choice of colours had us SOLD!

Adrian's artwork had us feeling rhythmic. This one particular painting caught our attention (above). The three lovely ladies in the painting was a definite clear representation of what we were feeling that night. A night of fun, music, art and friendship. We absolutely love Adrian Hayles!
Check out some of his work adrianhayles.com! Better yet join his group Behind the Front Visual Arts Studio on Facebook.

Secrets from Your Sister

Ladies, if you have never been properly fitted for a bra before..Go! It is so important. If you experience any of the following symptoms:

Your breasts pillow out of your bra (giving you the dreaded “double boob”)
Your back strap is riding up
You experience back pain, neck pain, or headaches
Your breasts fall out of the bottom of your bra
Your wires dig in under your breast
Your wires do not rest flush against your breastbone
Your bra is gaping on your body

You need to get checked!

This all started from watching segment on the Today Show Weekend this Saturday. The expert on the show recommended getting sized ANNUALLY! I had no idea, but it makes sense. So many changes happen in your life, not to mention you require different bras for different reasons. I took the time this weekend to do just that. I had no idea there would be a wait, but picture an episode of 'Say Yes to the Dress' but for bras. The consultants were very professional, informative, and patient. Without going into details she told me I was wearing a completely incorrect size. Once I was put into my proper size it was very liberating. And really ladies...does the actually size matter, when you are in the right bra? I say no.

I am so glad I found this store, Secrets from Your Sister. I will definitely be a repeat customer. They have 2 easily accessible locations:

560 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6G 1K1 (Bathurst & Bloor) 416.538.1234

2501 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4P 2H6(3 blocks north of Eglinton on the East side) 416.482.8007

LG Fashion Week - Spring 2010 Collections

It is finally here. Well almost here. LG Fashion Week!!! This posh super exciting event takes place October 19th to the 24th. Featuring Designers like Pink Tartan, Katrina Tuttle, Rain Anthology, Evan Biddell, RUDSAK and much more.

LG Fashion Week....HERE - I - COME!


LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oréal Paris is the premiere fashion event in Canada which brings together media, industry, buyers and consumers to view the season’s collections in the Fashion Capital of Canada, Toronto. Now in its 11th year, the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) has successfully created a Fashion Week known as LG Fashion Week Beauty by L'Oréal Paris that commands international respect, drives the Canadian fashion economy and profile within the industry.

http://www.lgfashionweek.ca/

BASH'd

Hey guys,

I read about this cool play going on in the city..here is a synopsis:

BASH’d is a musical love story of boy meets boy, told almost entirely in rhyme. Two gay hip-hop artists, T-Bag and Feminem, weave together the story of young lovers Jack and Dillon. Dillon is a “905” suburban youth who comes out of the closet, and leaves his conservative parents behind for the city life in The Big Smoke. Fabulous Jack already lives in the big city and is fun, stylish and charming; he even has two gay dads. The two meet, fall in love and get married, but before they can enjoy happily ever after, Jack is viciously attacked.

BASH'd debuted Off-Broadway in 2008 and ran for over two months. It was one of the best-reviewed Off-Broadway shows in the last 10 years, and subsequently won a 2007 GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Award.

Fri., October 16

Sat., October 17

Sun., October 18

Tickets range from $15 - 35

The play will be running at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5T2P3

We Suggest...

Get your hands on The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

If you do not know who he is...shame on you!!

Check him out http://www.thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

Inspirational Quote of the Day

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.
-Aristotle

Local Toronto Artist

Bill Philipovich was born in Edmonton in 1952. After studying art in Winnipeg he worked professionally as an illustrator, designer and art director. Bill also worked in Calgary and Vancouver before settling in Toronto in 1986 where he lives near High Park with his wife Sally. He is a dedicated, full-time painter who enjoys the wide open spaces of abstraction. Bill is a member of Artists Toronto and the Artist’s Network of Riverdale.

His paintings range in size, the largest being 48”x36” and price from about $450 to $1500. Please check the website for notification of upcoming exhibitions and/or send an e-mail if you wish to be added to the mailing list.

EMAIL
billph@philipovich.com

WEB
www.philipovich.com

Over-the-knee boots are the hottest new trend!

Leather has been a strong "IT" contender these past few seasons and this fall it’s reaching new heights (literally) in the form of the over-the-knee boot. Says LouLou Magazine. And boy, do we AGREE!!

Check out some of the "IT" CON-TEN-DERS!

GUCCI

JESSICA SIMPSON

GUESS

LUCKY BRAND

Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, plus more, room temperature, for pan
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/4 cup each orange, yellow, and brown candy-coated chocolates (from a 12.6-ounce bag) or 8 Reese's peanut butter cups, removed from their wrappers and corasely chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Brush an 8-inch square baking pan with butter; line pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides. Butter paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together butter and sugars until smooth. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Add flour and salt; stir just until moistened. Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top. Arrange candies or chopped peanut butter cups in 12 rows (2 rows per color, repeating once) on top of dough.

Bake until top of cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Set pan on a wire rack and let cool completely.

Using parchment overhang, lift cake from pan and transfer to a cutting board; cut into 16 squares. To store, keep in an airtight container at room temperature, up to 2 days.

Makes 16.

The Best Mac and Cheese Ever! - Essence.com

The Best Mac and Cheese Ever! - Essence.com

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Harlem Restaurant

Harlem

A cozy, sophisticated restaurant with dishes from the South. The ambiance and artwork oozes cool. We were lucky to get a table since by the looks of it they were operating on a reservations only basis. Clean washroooms, private table available, live music some nights, close parking. The cocktails were to die for..it helped the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese digest! lol

Special mention to the host and wait staff. Friendly, funny, and attentive. She's Polished! highly recommends Harlem. Hours are Sunday to Friday 11am to 11pm and Saturday 11am to 12 am


Located at:

67 Richmond Street East
Toronto, ON M5C 1N9
(416) 368-1920
http://www.harlemrestaurant.com

Petite Feet Sample Sale

Ladies! This is definitely the spot to be this weekend! We went last year and had a blast. The shoes and bags are super duper cute! You'll love it. Make sure you stop by and bring plenty of cash!

Inspirational Poem by Kimberly Olson

A Butterfly in Baghdad

Ugliness was everywhere
In this city of war and despair
Death was all around me
Hanging so heavy in the air

The buildings lay in rubble
There were remnants of exploded cars
Each day I felt new death occur
Carving more emotional scars

To feel the tremble of a bombing
And know life just ended for many
To hear the volley of the gunfire
Crushed my hope till there wasn't any

But then I saw a butterfly
The symbol of new life
And I knew someday there'd be an end
To all this ugliness and strife

It may not end tomorrow
Or even during our lifetime
But the ugliness will go someday
Beauty will once again sublime

I followed that little butterfly
To see where it might land
Just where would it find a flower
In all this dirt and sand?

It fluttered here and fluttered there
Searching for beauty in this place
It even once came up to me
And tried landing on my face

That butterfly never once gave up
In its search for what it wanted
It flew and flew and flew and flew
Its persistence never daunted

Then there in the middle of nothing
That ever once had given me hope
Was a pretty little flower
Then I knew that I could cope

At least one of two things will happen
With everything that you endure
It will tear you down and rip you apart
Or build you stronger than before

So look to the little butterfly
When you're at the end of your rope
Let it be your inspiration
And never EVER give up hope!

Balmain Spring 2010

Love these pieces by Pierre Balmain. The use of metallics and animal skin is super sexy! Awww.... Love it!





Check out entire collection at NYMag

DEVA.DEVA.DEVA!

What a wonderful weekend! On Saturday we spent a well deserved DEVA day with the ladies of D.E.V.A Event Coordinating, Elizabeth and Vanessa! They pampered over 200 women with makeovers, skin treatments, a mortgage education workshop, alongside various vendors that sold yummy items like Chocolates to Arm Candy Handbags! We dazzled our way around the many vendors with complete awww! We absolutely enjoyed the day, leaving us feeling inspired by the power of a woman! Go ladies!! Check them out at devainyou.blogspot.com

All the photos of the vendors below are taken from the event! Check them out!

LGWS Leather Purses at D.E.V.A

Healthy Chocolate

We got to taste these lovely chocolates that give you all the daily nutrients you should be eating through fruits and veggies.

Miss MyMy at D.E.V.A

Love this girl! So bubbly and fun! She had the coolest eyelash extensions. Miss MyMy (real name: Maya King) provides hair extension and skin care products. One of her famous clients is City TV's Tracy Moore. She has also worked with the Angel Hair for Kids Charity, which provides wigs to children dealing with hair loss. Services are available at her new self-titled spa. Go to her website for more information:

www.missmymy.com