Shoe O'the Day: Fall Stud

Christian Louboutin getting me excited for fall!

Zoots: Cafe Magic

**All these 'zoots' images have been taken from www.blogto.com (lovely but not mine ;)

Zoots: Tasty Coffee, Hidden Away

I sheepishly admit that I don't make it out of my hood as often as I should. A really awesome New Yorker, whose beau recently moved to Toronto, sat beside me on the looooong bus back from NYC and told me in detail about her love for Toronto and all the places she had visited within the city, the weekend previous. The whole time, aside from loving her enthusiasm, I was stewing in a little shame-on-me guilt for not being more adventurous having this great city at my disposal. On that note, I ventured out of my comfort zone yesterday- mind you just for coffee (baby steps!) but to a new place all the same - with winning results. Zoots coffee bar (829 Dundas St. W) is an unexpected treat just east of Dufferin in little Portugal. I had my usual, soya latte, and took turns sitting in each of its many sitting rooms (there are 3)- before deciding to sit on the back patio (it was one of those mornings). It feels more like a kooky aunt's house rather than a cafe, with an eclectic show of art, photographs and hodge podge furniture, and the staff is down-to-earth and friendly...and the latte was delicious. I am going to try their brunch in the next couple weeks - anyone wanna be my date?

Forget Me Not: Coco Scarves

Here is Coco's website: http://cocopit.biz/

And to purchase a scarf or just salivate over the collection: http://shop.forget-me-not.me/

Coco: Illustrator Extraordinaire

I am going to be doing an interview with the illustrator Coco in the week ahead and am very excited to speak with her. I always get a little nervous in advance- kind of like...you know you really admire someone from afar and you are thinking, 'Please like me back!" Haha. Well, she recently has produced a line of scarves under the collection name, Forget Me Not (which is lovely too). The scarves are definitely a collector's item- I don't know if I owned one if I would wear it or frame it. Out of my price range but extraordinarily beautiful and worth admiring...they look like a woodland fairy-tale hallucination - in the best possible way.

Shoe O'the Day: Ebony & Ivory

Joy in Abundance

I recently heard some very sad news about someone I knew but didn't really know at all...if you get me. And although it didn't involve me directly, I really reflected on all my interactions with this stranger. Was I kind enough? Did I show that they meant something by looking them in the eye when I spoke to them? We are all in this together whatever it is. I read a quote recently that said, "Spirituality is loving everyone". Everyone should feel, even through their pain, that they are loved.

Shoe O'the Day: I am a Lady

City Cakes

During my time in NYC I tried to make the most of my solo time by going on exploring expeditions. Last time I was in the city I indulged in a little cupcake action (because we all know calories don't exist on vacation). This time around, I stumbled upon City Cakes in Chelsea. It is kind of hidden away but this cake caught my eye from the stairwell window. Isn't it wicked? Very Aladdin. The gals at the bakery were very kind and let me snap away. I left with a red velvet cupcake which I am pretty sure hit a least two major food groups.

The Met: American Woman

One of the highlights of NYC this time around was visiting the Metropolitan Museum. I have been a number of times and each time I enjoy it more than the last. This time was no exception with the inclusion of their most recent costume exhibition American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity. If it was acceptable (practicality aside) I would parade around in costumes all the time. It is hard to fathom the hours that went into these designs- and just as mind-blowing that they have been preserved impeccably for over 150yrs. Walking through the rooms, which cover the decades from 1840- 1940, was like a little stroll through how women have evolved their roles in society and how fashion has mirrored and aided this evolution. The flapper looks were my favorites- the glittered, faux finger waved wigs were out of control! Please go see it if you have the opportunity- it runs until Aug 15th.

Back from NYC

I am starting my NYC posts with this image because it captures the very essence - all the things hard to put into words (although I will try) that are so incredible about the Big Apple. Please direct your eyes to the women behind me in this pic. Oh yes, that is her hat obscuring the couple to her rear. This women is too busy just being fabulous to notice me not-so-slyly trying to document that chapeau. Her outfit was fully photo-worthy as well and looked like something out of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat drapes collection. Aside from sharing the same air as this dame, I was sitting smack dab in Central Park eating brunch at my favorite french-inspired breakie place (name to follow, I always screw it up)...And all together, I felt I was living the life. I wish you were with me ;)