Blue Mountain

 Canadian winters are loooong and cold, and even though the first snowfall is always beautiful, the initial excitement never lasts long.  The ice and slush gets old fast, and soon people start complaining, myself included.  In an effort to embrace the season instead of despising it, Ad and I planned a road trip to Blue Mountain with another couple for some skiing and sightseeing.  What a great idea that turned out to be! It's impossible not to enjoy winter after visiting the Scandinave Spa, strolling through the ski village, and hitting the slopes.  Needless to say, the four of us returned home after our mini-vacay feeling relaxed and happy. Here are some pics of our short and sweet adventure!

V-day Love

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

As I wait for my valentine to arrive back in the city after spending a week in NYC for business, I thought I'd share my latest vegan experience. Sooo, yesterday I decided to be ambitious and re-create my favourite vegan pizza from Magic Oven.  I trekked to the nearby health food store and stocked up on all the ingredients to make spelt dough and fresh pesto that substitutes nutritional yeast for parmesan cheese.  Feeling confident, I get to work on my creation, listening to my favourite music as I stir the dough and wait for it to rise.  Yes....this is going to be even more delicious than the original. I'm a natural!  A few hours later, I get to work on the pesto.  The recipe is super easy, so I blend everything together (in the coffee grinder) and tell myself that I'm well on my way to becoming an expert.  I stretch the dough onto the pizza tray and pop it into the oven for five minutes.  Excellent! I can't wait to make this again tomorrow for Addy when he gets home!  The five minutes pass, and it's time to check the dough, and add the sauce and toppings.  Something with the dough seems a little off, but whatever.  No worries, the dough just needs to be cooked for a little longer. Into the oven it goes, and I set the timer for 10 more minutes.  I won't lie...for about 7 of those minutes I sat in front of the oven admiring my masterpiece.  I emailed a pic of it to Ad, to which he replied, "wow I'm impressed." What can I say? I'm talented.  I don't need to worry about keeping an eye on the pizza, because I'm laying right in front of the oven, watching the Daiya cheese melt minute by minute.  My intuition tells me it's ready, and that it's perfect.  I cut my first slice, send Ad a text, and dig in. YUMMMMMM.....omg this is.....alright....what the heck is wrong with this dough.....the pesto tastes a bit off......this is naaaasty! I spit out my bite before I start to gag.  Major fail. Ad asks me what went  wrong and tells me not to worry, that these things take practice. I won't be practicing for awhile, that's all I can say. 

And that is the story of how Adam and I ended up at Magic Oven on Valentine's Day.

French Pharmacy Top Picks: Review #2

As a continuation to the first review I posted, here is the second product on my french favourites list. It's called Homeoplasmine, and it's a multi-use homeopathic ointment loved my many top make-up artists. According to Gwyneth Paltrow: "Meant for skin irritations, it's also a life-saver when it comes to dry, winter-ravaged skin."   I don't know about you, but my skin takes a beating during the harsh Canadian winters, and is as dry as sandpaper if I don't care for it properly.  Other reviews sounded convincing, so I added to my growing list of things to pick up on my Parisian vacation.  I figured that at about 6 euros a pop, I couldn't afford not to try the stuff that everyone was talking about. 

I'm glad I picked up the extra large tube, and the only regret I have is not grabbing a few more. Formulated with plant extracts and emollients, Homeoplasmine delivers on its promise to moisturize and hydrate. The ingredients are gentle enough for sensitive skin, and in fact, Parisians swear by it to help heal diaper rash. Lately, I've been applying this to my face in the mornings and it really protects my skin against the blowing wind and sub-zero temperatures.  I also really like that it mattifies and gives my skin a smooth appearance, without making it look greasy. It absorbs quickly, and the results last for hours - no more flaky, dry skin, which is amazing. 

But it doesn't end there.  The ointment also makes an excellent lip primer, so I usually slather it on before I leave the house, and then reapply my Ciafine balm as necessary when I'm out (I prefer the glossiness and transportable size of the Ciafine for daytime). Since Homeoplasmine is also mildy antiseptic, it may be used to treat irritations like mild burns and acne.  From what I understand, it's the equivalent of our Polysporin over here.

Similar to Avibon, Homesplasmine is impossible to find in Toronto, at least that's what I've found so far.  It sells for around $30 on Amazon for a 40g tube, which is expensive when you compare that to how much it sells for in Paris.  However, if it came down to either running out or paying extra online, I would definitely suck it up and order it.  Would not want to be without this product, that is for sure!

If you have ever used or heard of this product, I would love to hear your comments :). Until next time! xo

French Pharmacy Top Picks: Review #1

If you've ever been to Paris, maybe you were like me and stared at the French women in awe. My first trip there, I admired their natural beauty and promised myself that I would discover their beauty secrets. Luckily, my friend lives over there, and she's a wonderful source of information.  After talking to her, and reading other people's blogs, I found some wonderful products that no woman should be without! During my most recent visit to the City of Light, I stocked up on all the essentials.  Now that I have tried them for myself, I am ready to reveal what I believe are the best french beauty products ever.  This is the first post in a series of detailed reviews....here we go!

This first product is definitely at the top of the list. It's called Avibon, and to say I'm impressed at its effectiveness would be the biggest understatement ever. Although it's widely available at any French pharmacy, you'll have to ask the pharmacist to grab it for you since they don't stock it over-the-counter. I'm just guessing, but the reason could be that Avibon has a high Vitamin A, or retinoic acid, content. Vitamin A, as you may already know, is used for anti-aging, fighting wrinkles, erasing scars, and clearing acne. It looks and feels a lot like vaseline, but the similarities end there. Massage a pea-sized amount on your face before you go to bed (you can warm it up in your hands first to soften it), and you'll wake up with incredibly soft and glowing skin.  I have suffered from hormonal acne for years, mostly around my chin and jawline, and after about two months of regular use my skin has never looked and felt this good. Even after using it once, I noticed a difference in my scars. It's safe to say that my search for that one magical elixir is over, and that I can bid farewell to my harsh prescription acne medications forever.

Avibon sells for around 7 euros in France (holy, affordable), and like I said before, you can find it at any French pharmacy. On the other hand, it's almost impossible to find in Canada and the States. Amazon and Ebay sell it occasionally, but it's awfully expensive, and that's not including the shipping charges.  There's also a pharmacy in NYC that carries it, but other than that, I can't seem to find it anywhere.  Luckily, you only need to use this product sparingly, so a tube should last about six months or so, or maybe even longer.  I've used mine daily since I returned from Paris in January, and I am not even halfway through.

So, if you ever have the opportunity to visit Paris, do yourself a favour and stock up on this amazing pommade. Trust me, you won't regret it! :)

I'm Vegan! Day 3

I have never officially seen "Food, Inc.," but heard about it through my soul sister (who is also a veg-head); after discussing the film with her, it was enough to convert me to vegetarianism forever. That was one year ago, and my pescatarian ways are still going strong. Fast forward to now, and this is my story...

Tuesday, February 5, 2013 started out like an other ordinary morning. That is, until I decided to watch the documentary "Vegecated" on Netflix. The movie resonated with me like no other, and I just knew I was born to be a vegan. The images brought tears to my eyes and the descriptions of factory farming horrified me. I was overcome with clarity and purpose. My favourite quote from the movie is, "If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would become a vegetarian." As someone who adores animals, I can't even bear the thought of them being harmed in any way. Over-fed chickens falling over from being unable to support their body weight and forced into overcrowded pens, pigs and cattle subjected to medical procedures without anesthesia or antibiotics, and of course the methods in which the animals are slaughtered....I was overcome with sadness. And so at 11:34am on a cold, winter day, I made the life-changing decision to become a vegan.

I have spent the last couple of days downloading vegan books on my iPad and reading about the benefits of this type of lifestyle. I've never been one who enjoys cooking, so my google searches are "simple vegan meals" and "easiest vegan desserts." In just a couple of days, I've learned a ton and can't wait to share it all with you, over time :). Two nights ago, I made my first vegan meal, vegan slowcooker chile. It was so delish, even Addy gobbled up his bowl and came back for seconds. Today I ran out to No Frills and collected the ingredients to made the quickest dessert ever. In minutes, I had created raw and vegan chocolate and coconut macaroons, all on my own! I'll be honest, one of my biggest trepidations was how I was going to satisfy my sweet tooth, and I'm so relieved to have found a treat I love.

Hope you enjoyed reading this...I'll leave you with a pic of my sinful macaroons. Have a great night!

Ideal sunday in the ideal city

I love Sunday's for so many reasons, but mostly because it's the one day that's always set aside for Addy and I to spend time together. This Sunday was extra special, and deserved an entry of its own. Like most Sundays, or fun-days, today started off with staying up late the night before so that we have an excuse to sleep in. The website, Damn You Auto-Correct, is making me sleep-deprived, but the hilariousness of the site is totally worth it. Anyway, after our morning ritual of general laziness, I suggested brunch at Okay Okay Diner. This idea very well-received by Mr. Hard-to-Please, so we wasted no time getting ready and headed off to Leslieville's most popular breakfast spot. Feeling stuffed and excited about the summer-like weather, Ad and I both agreed that we should hop on our bikes, with our first stop being Mountain Equipment Co-op. Lucky for me, x-small bike helmets for peaheads were on clearance - score!!

A number of factors led us to the movie theatre at Richmond and Queen to catch the matinee showing of "The Raid Redemption," then to the giant chapters next door to pick-up tickets to Gotye's sold-out show this Saturday. So very excited about that! Stay tuned for my not-so-professional review.

My cousin texted me saying she was in the city for the day at Kensington Market, a neighbourhood known for its hippy feel and impressive variety of restaurants and markets. No luck finding them there, but fortunately Ad and I were able to meet up with them later at the distillery district. What a day!

Best Thai in the dot

Khao San Road - the ultimate experience for thai-lovers like myself. My girl friends excitedly told me about the restaurant after they had dropped in for lunch one Saturday, so of course I was dying to go there myself. Sure enough, this small establishment did not disappoint. Khao San Road is the perfect meal to satisfy my Thai food cravings!

Reviewers on urbanspoon and yelp can't enough of this place either, hence the through-the-roof ratings:

"Totally worth the hype."

"Well Run, well designed, well executed, wonderful restaurant."

"I didn't know thai food could taste this good. True story."

Everyone loves it! Why bother attempting to make thai at home when you know Khao San will get it perfect every time :)?

work stalker

When Ad forwarded this message to me from his friend, the email was just too hilarious to keep to myself. I couldn't resist sharing!

Latest email from mike's stalker chick at work AHAH

"Mike,

I want to tell you this ,
you've always been a good friend for me (eventhough it has been a work - boarder friendship , i like it.)
i have tried being a good friend for you either.
sometimes it makes me so (let's say) jelous when i see you are showing off your other (s) friend (s) to me.
when i bring something , it is just for you , and i like to do this for you , as a friend .
....... you brought croiscent , I thought it was just for me ,
but you didn't even let me to believe it for few hours and being happy ,
why Mike ?

bye "

Coachella

I need to go! Definitely need to work towards this goal and make it happen :). I'll give myself 3 years.

To Buy or Not

A few months ago, my beloved partner decided to take a risk and buy a pre-construction condo. While I anticipated some challenges, I never expected the process to be so emotional. As we approach the move-in date, I wonder if owning under 1000 sq. feet of luxury is worth the psychological distress. With the rising interest rates and a thousand other financial concerns, Adam isn't sure oneday to the next whether he wants to proceed. I'm trying to remain detached from the situation, but I'm finding it more and more difficult as the hours pass. My fingers are crossed that all the questions will be answered in the following days, and a final decision will be made.

Jonsi Concert - Friday, April 30, 2010

Ad and I attended the Jonsi concert at Sound Academy last friday night and were totally blown away. It was the most amazing live performance either of us have ever attended. Here's a review of the evening, taken from canoe.ca:

TORONTO - You've come a long way, Jonsi.

It's been almost a decade since vocalist Jon Birgisson - known to many as Jonsi -- made his mesmerizing Toronto debut at Palais Royale as part of then virtually unknown Icelandic orchestral rock group Sigur Ros.

Now with Sigur Ros on "indefinite hiatus" after several critically acclaimed albums, Jonsi is touring in support of his debut solo album Go. And throughout his 75-minute set Friday night at Sound Academy, the audience was torn: were they more impressed with the gorgeous, lush arrangements fuelled by Jonsi's at times angelic high notes or the equally stunning visuals which accompanied the songs?

Regardless of which side of the argument they came down on, one came away with the impression the artist had successfully melded the two mediums for an extremely memorable show beginning with Stars In Still Water. Strumming an acoustic guitar and with a well-rounded quartet supporting him, Jonsi drew in the attentive crowd before diving into the softer, dirge-leaning Hengilas. Here images of owls, deer and other wildlife appeared on the large backdrop before virtual flames left it a charred, desolate forest.

Not addressing the audience at all for the first half of the show and seemingly lost in the music, Jonsi took things to another level with the solid and quite cinematic Kolnidur. Initially slow and somber, the nugget grew magnificently in tension as the imagery of a wolf chasing a deer played out behind him.

Perhaps one of the odder traits of the evening was that Jonsi played a healthy dose of material that was not found on Go, including Saint Naive as well as a new piano-led song called, er, New Piano Song on the set list.



The melancholic nature early on took a turn for the better with the one-two combination of Tornado and especially Sinking Friendships, both packing a bit more punch with fans. Tornado resembled a happy medium between Peter Gabriel and The National while the percussion-heavy Sinking Friendships brought it more in line with Coldplay circa Viva La Vida.

"Alright, how are you doing?" Jonsi asked before the dance-friendly, punchy single Go Do instantly had its desired effect as the backdrop resembled piano keys being played. The singer then loosened up a bit more before Boy Lilikoi, asking everyone to help him sing Happy Birthday to two members of the crew. However, that help was fleeting when the band stood around a lone microphone and sang the song in Icelandic.

Another up-tempo and somewhat uplifting Around Us concluded the roughly hour-long main-set with more spine-tingling high notes. That seemed to be a teaser though for the memorable show-stopper Grow Till Tall. Growing in intensity, the song reached its swirling heights as the backdrop showed high winds, heavy rain, lightning and thunder clouds. It made one think the set was literally being torn apart by the computer-generated disaster.

Based on this inspired performance, another few solo albums down the road by Jonsi are hopefully in the cards.

The Perfect Vertical Bookcase

For days, I have been on a seemingly endless quest for the perfect bookcase. You can imagine my delight when I finally spotted EXACTLY what I was looking for during an episode of Cityline. I impatiently waited for the interior designer to dish the details on where I might find the bookcase of my dreams, and was totally bummed when she moved on to the next piece of furniture without mentioning even a word about where it was purchased. Just my luck!! After googling every type of bookcase you can imagine (invisible bookcase, stacking bookcase, invisible stacking bookcase, tower bookcase, you get the idea...), I was frustrated and ready to give-up. Before I shut my computer down for the night, I decided to check out www.apartmenttherapy.com and search for bookcases. Apartment Therapy saved the day once again...the Sapien bookcase from Design Within Reach is exactly what I've been envisioning for our new living room, and I was able to annoy Addy with my victory dance afterall :).

Earth Hour - TO style!

Fellow Torontonians who neglected to participate in this year's Earth Hour celebration really missed out tonight. I arrived at Dundas Square in plenty of time to secure a frontrow spot for my friend Jean and I...boy am I glad I got there early! The free concerts were totally worth waiting for, even though my hands are still frostbitten an hour post-party :P. The live performances by renowned Canadian artists Chantal Kreviazuk and Jarvis Church were spectacular, and the MC's for the evening (BT's Kevin Frankish and the stunning Dina Pugliese) did a mighty fine job despite having to "stretch" for time. Some other highlights of the evening: Mayor David Miller posed with the crowd, Chantal's intimate performance used recycled energy, and WFF's founder congratulated Toronto for its environmental efforts. All of us shared a special moment as we watched all the buildings and billboards around us go dark while listening to Chantal sing live. Not surprisingly, everyone who showed up to this worthwhile event warmly welcomed each speaker and performer...as always I was proud to be Canadian, and it was another unforgettable evening spent in my favourite city :).

back to basics

i was convinced that my blog looked tres boring without a collage of pictures to highlight my posts. in fact, i was tempted to add a picture or two to my last post in hopes of creating visual appeal. as i examine my last two posts, i've decided i like this oldschool look. it's simple...we love it, don't we chris? :)

all alone....

....and loving every single minute of it! don't get me wrong, i adore my beau, but once inawhile it's nice to spend an evening by myself! as i sit crossed-legged on my darkwood laminate flooring with christopher and peruse all my favourite websites, i feel perfectly content. what a relaxing way to kick-off the weekend :)

Canada Wins the Olympics!!

Once upon a time, on an unusually warm day in February, the world's best country which was named CANADA, won the ENTIRE Olympic games. This marvelous country was the only hosting country in Olympic history to win 17 gold medals. In addition to that record-breaking achievement, on the same day, Canada competed against the United States and WON in the most intense overtime ever witnessed in hockey history. On that unforgettable day, every living person in the world was silenced by Canada's greatness. THE END.

Summer '08 - Merton Street

This one's for you, Ad. Another post for the archive.

Beijing Olympics Day 7 - 0 Medals for Canada

The reporters say that Canada's best is yet to come, but I have my doubts.

Michelle says:
canada still doesn't have any medals
Adam - Bloor says:
AHAHAHA
Adam - Bloor says:
i know that upsets you
Michelle says:
i'm so upset
Michelle says:
yah
Michelle says:
and our reporters act like it's okay!
Michelle says:
you kno what they say when we come LAST
Michelle says:
DEAD LAST
Michelle says:
?
Michelle says:
"wow! a new canadian record!"
Adam - Bloor says:
even kazistan
Michelle says:
do'n say that on national tv! that's embarrassing!
Michelle says:
AND THEN
Michelle says:
we interview our athletes
Michelle says:
what a disaster
Michelle says:
the athletes are THRILLED with coming last
Michelle says:
oh yah, are they ever
Adam - Bloor says:

Michelle says:
"i just came here to enjoy being in the olympics"
Michelle says:
i should blog about it
Michelle says:
ti's so retarded
Michelle says:
"i didn't know where i was in the race...i gave it my all, that's the best i can do. i didn't get a medal this time, but i'll get a medal next time:
Michelle says:
"I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE I WAS IN THE RACE??"
Michelle says:
CANADA DOESNT' BUY OUR ATHLETES GOGGLES?
Michelle says:
like....if it isn't on ething it's another
Adam - Bloor says:
AHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Adam - Bloor says:
see thats funny
Michelle says:
tha'st not funny...it's disturbing

Obsessed

Some more Adele lyrics...

I've made up my mind, Don't need to think it over, if I'm wrong I am right, Don't need to look no further, This ain't lust, i know this is love but, If i tell the world, I'll never say enough, Cause it was not said to you, And thats exactly what i need to do, If i'm in love with you, Should i give up, Or should i just keep chasing pavements? Even if it leads nowhere, Or would it be a waste? Even If i knew my place should i leave it there?

And finally, I can't resist posting the entire song called Best for Last because it's impossible to pick my fav. part :P

Wait, do you see my heart on my sleeve?
It's been there for days on end and
It's been waiting for you to open up
Just you baby, come on now
I'm trying to tell you just how
I'd like to hear the words roll out of your mouth finally
Say that it's always been me

That's made you feel a way you've never felt before
And I'm all you need and that you never want more
Then you'd say all of the right things without a clue
But you'd save the best for last
Like I'm the one for you

You should know that you're just a temporary fix
This is not rooted with you it don't mean that much to me
You're just a filler in the space that happened to be free
How dare you think you'd get away with trying to play me

Why is it everytime I think I've tried my hardest
It turns out it ain't enough cause you're still not mentioning love
What am I supposed to do to make you want me properly?
I'm taking these chances and getting away
And though I'm trying my hardest you go back to her
And I think that I know things may never change
I'm still hoping one day I might hear you say

I make you feel a way you've never felt before
And I'm all you need and you never want more
Then you'd say all of the right things without a clue
But you'd save the best for last
Like I'm the one for you

You should know that you're just a temporary fix
This is not rooted with you it don't mean that much to me
You're just a filler in the space that happened to be free
How dare you think you'd get away with trying to play me

But, despite the truth I know
I find it hard to let go and give up on you
Seems I love the things you do
Like the meaner you treat me the more eager I am
To persist with this heartbreak and running around
And I think that I know things may never change
I'm still hoping one day I might hear you say

I make you feel a way you've never felt before
And I'm all you need and that you never want more
And we'll say all of the right things without a clue
And you'll be the one for me and me the one for you

Brilliant Adele

Adele says is best...I'm absolutely loving her music right now. Thanks for the heads up Cris.

Right under my feet there’s air made of bricks
Pulls me down turns me weak for you
I find myself repeating like a broken tune
And I’m forever excusing your intentions
And I give in to my pretendings
Which forgive you each time
Without me knowing
They melt my heart to stone

And I hear your words that I made up
You say my name like there could be an us
I best tidy up my head I’m the only one in love
I’m the only one in love

Each and every time I turn around to leave
I feel my heart begin to burst and bleed
So desperately I try to link it with my head
But instead I fall back to my knees
As you tear your way right through me
I forgive you once again
Without me knowing
You’ve burnt my heart to stone