When Tommy Met Anna...in Toronto

I'm a big Anna Dello Russo fan.

I like that she seems to really love fashion

and that she has the courage to wear fruit

in her hair with stylish aplomb.

And I adore Tommy Ton and his photographs.

He has captured some of my favourite street

style images and I love the way he never forgets

 about capturing the details and accessories.

Yesterday both were in town for the launch of the new photo

exhibit on display at The Room at The Bay in Toronto.

You can catch When Tommy Met Anna, an exhibit of some

of Ton's photographs of ADR, until April 29th.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Any Easter celebrations scheduled?

Whatever you're doing I hope you have a great one!

Photographs 1 and 2 by David Pike for Toronto Life

Photograph 3 and 4 by Tommy Ton via Style.com 

Pretty Little Liars Finale Fashion and The Avenue



Last night's Pretty Little Liars spring finale, "For Whom The Bell Tolls" left us with quite a cliffhanger. I find myself eager to find out WTH is going on. Is Ian dead? Probably, but then where is he? Did A get to his body? And, of course, who is A? The questions are enough to ensure I'll be watching when a new episode airs.

Pretty Little Liars "For Whom The Bell Tolls" Fashion

Hanna's coat by BCBGeneration

Cut Out Shirt - 3.1 Phillip Lim

Necklace - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Boots - Steve Madden [similar]

Emily has been sporting some fab jackets lately.

I really like this leather one from A.L.C.

Jeans - Paige

Boots - Diba

I mostly want to punch Mona in the face but I love her metallic, ruffled

Leifsdottir blouse from Anthropologie which features a flame print.

Metallic Gold Tote - Gap

(Hanna's Outfit Above)

Aria's black and white striped sweater from Jamison

Resin Bird Necklace - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Leggings - American Apparel

Shoes - Asos

Spencer's plaid shirt and jeans from BDG at UO [similar]

Jacket - Cooperative at Urban Outfitters

Boots - Off the Beaten Track Nordstrom

Aria's black lace dress - Free People

In other show news have you heard about The Avenue? This web show was created by Ryerson University students (and features several of them) and stars Gregory Glamour, best known for his YouTube make-up tutorials. The other star of this Hills-meets-The City "reality" show is Toronto, which is fun to watch when I'm so used to seeing U.S. cities featured on TV instead. Apparently the show gets the most views from the U.S. and Australia, but a lot of Torontonians are buzzing about it--both those that love it and those that love to hate it.

I haven't seen all the episodes yet and, while some of the dialogue seems stilted and some of the scenes forced, I'm not going to lie and say I won't watch the rest. File under guilty pleasure, I guess. The producers claim that none of the show is scripted, but I'd venture to say that at the very least the scenes are planned. Some of the so-called drama is funny too, like an over acted fight in a bar and a distraught Glamour bemoaning the fact that his boyfriend broke up with him after he moved to Toronto for him--all the way from Mississauga (about a half hour away). Still, I think it's quite a slick production considering it was put together by students. Have you caught an episode yet?


Pretty Little Liars Photos via ABC Family
The Avenue Photo via stylespy.com

Pizza Al Metro

If you're looking for some good Italian food and nice ambiance north of the city then you should definitely check out the recently opened Pizza Al Metro. I don't think I've ever posted about this place, but I after I went again on Friday I decided it with high time. When we arrived the place was packed with people enjoying a good meal and we got a private room that was nice and cozy (there are several of different sizes you can book for a special occassion or if you just want a bit more privacy.)

An Example of Pizza Al Metro

As always I'm a bad blogger and didn't bring along a camera, but I've relied on some photos found on the web to help me illustrate this story. The pizza al metro concept is pretty popular in Europe but I haven't seen it much on this side of the ocean. Basically you get a metre of pizza that can serve up to four or five and you can section it into a couple different types of pizza so everyone can sample a bit of each.

Aside from this pizza specialty the restaurant also offers personal-sized pizzas, meat dishes cooked over open flame and some great appetizers. Although torn I decided to go with the rice balls and was not at all disappointed. Even though I prefer mine without peas these were really, really good. For my main I went with the Doppia Facce, half a Margherita pizza and half a calzone stuffed with soft ricotta. Delicious, but unfortunately I could only get about half way through it and then M ate the rest. Two thumbs up from his side of the table.

Our table then ordered some Speducci but I could only manage to try a bite (they were very tasty). I was so full I had to forgo the Nutella pizza dessert on the menu and opt for two espressos instead. All in all a delicious night!  What did you do this weekend?



Images 1, 3, 4 via

Winner of the Sarah Tucker Photography Giveaway!

Spice Route

How is everyone? I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. Today we're headed BBQ shopping (we have yet to pick table, chairs, or couch, but my husband obviously has his priorities in order) and then later on we're meeting friends at Spice Route for some yummy Sunday goodness. What does everyone else have planned for the day? One lucky reader's Sunday will include choosing the Sarah Tucker Photography print she'd like to take home. The winner is...

Stephanie at The-Loudmouth

Congrats Stephanie! Please email me your

shipping info and the print you've chosen.

Galleria, Milano by Sarah Tucker Photography

Thanks so much to everyone who entered and to Sarah,

who so generously offered up one of her pieces to give away!

A Cake Opera

Hall of Mirrors Cake

It's the festive season so desserts are on my brain. Take a look at these gorgeous cakes, macaroons and petit gateaus (not to mention everything from Confection Towers to marshmallows) being served up at the Cake Opera Co. (1136 Eglinton Avenue West).

Not only are the desserts and shop the height of Baroque

elegance, but just check out their website. Love.

Cake Opera will even custom make a sweet table for your event.

 

The shop was founded by Alexandria Pellegrino who, along with

a Fine Arts degree, also attended Le Cordon Bleu's Patisserie program.

Pellegrino's partner is pastry chef Jessica Smith who has been the head

pastry chef at highly regarded establishments like the Four Seasons' Truffles.

Pellegrino says that they "approach cake design first and

foremost as artists" with an intense attention to detail.



Inspired by Valentino red, Christian Lacroix's Spring 2008
collection, and the embroidery on the bride's sari.



A cake decorated to look like vintage milk glass.



A Bohemian Romance themed cake, inspired by
pomegranate red and coral, includes ribbons and brooches.

One of the company's signature 18th century French
figurine cakes.

Ships, pirates, tulips and anemones grace this cake,
which won The Wedding Co.'s 2008 Cake Competition.

17 Steps & A New Artist Discovery

One of my great pleasures in life is trying out new restaurants while M has a habit of wanting to go back to those tried and true places. I guess it's good for me he's the loyal sort. This Saturday I was happy to get the chance to check out a new one. 17 Steps is a rustic and charming Mediterranean restaurant tucked underground (hence the 17 steps) in Bloor West. Not only are the owners and everyone who works there charming, gracious and inviting but the food is pretty great, too.

To start we had flatbread with a selection of dips and spankopita, and for my main I had the yummy bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin with some to-die-for truffle frites. We usually skip dessert, but we went in for the Greek nut cake (served warm) and weren't disappointed. I found that, price wise, it's also a really great value. You can read some more reviews here.

During dinner I found myself admiring some of the colourful artwork on the walls only to find out they were the work of Cynthia van Leeuwen, who I also had the pleasure of meeting that night.

Cynthia was very friendly and lovely, someone with a true passion for her art. What did you do this weekend?

Textstyles & Corduroy Magazine's Pop Up Closet and The One of a Kind Show

Happy Friday everyone! I hope my American friends enjoyed their Thanksgiving and everyone survives Black Friday shopping. Is it me or are there a ton more sales this side of the border this year? (More on a sale I jumped at below). This week I was happy to attend the preview of two great events, the first being the Holiday Pop Up Closet curated by the lovely Stefania of Textstyles (check out her blog and photographs--just fab) and Tim Chan of Corduroy, with proceeds being donated to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Being held at Chasse Gardé (who will also be hosting a Magwood pop up soon) from November 26 to 28, this pop up is a great opportunity to snag some super Christmas gifts. I was actually sad that I had finished all my shopping already, although I did grab one thing for myself! The items are presented on vintage furniture for a kind of walk-in closet feel, and are all marked with handwritten tabs giving background on the designers and brands and why they were chosen.

The shop has items for both men and women that range from Field Notes retro notebooks, Manimal Moccasins and great toques to supple leather wallets and chunky scarves made of mohair and alpaca. I was charmed by the Maude & Colette pretzel necklaces by Jacqueline Lane, the sweet smelling body products from Love Fresh Body Goodies, and the leather rucksack from Vancouver's Palmer & Sons. Want to rock a turban this holiday season? There were some velvet ones by Leilanni Todd. Love Emerson Made? The shop has multiple sets of clutches and blossoms that would make perfect gifts. If you're in the area you should really go. I mean, great products and a great cause--how can you go wrong?

I also attended a preview for the One of a Kind Christmas Show being held at Exhibition Place from November 25 to December 5. It was my first time attending the show, although I knew it would be right up my alley. What's better than over 800 artisans selling their creative, unique and beautiful wares in one place? There was everything from One of a Kind Fashion and Flavors to Green products and a whole selection of Rising Stars and first-time exhibitors. Canadian House & Home had a booth and there was also a Love competition with different exhibitors showcasing products inspired by love (my fave was the bright red "Love" buzzer/doorbell by Buzzz). The show also features fashion shows and demos on everything from woodworking to tapestry making.

First off we were treated to a truly delicious breakfast cooked by the Culinary Management students of George Brown College's Chef School. As a girl who usually eats breakfast for dinner and not much in the morning this was a treat. There were both hot and cold selections (poached pears, fresh fruit salad, crispy granola) and I opted to have a small sample of all three hot offerings a Scottish Egg, Cornflake Crusted French Toast with berries and syrup and Wild Mushroom, Spinach and Goat Cheese Tarts. All were new experiences for me and can I just say it was freakin' delicious.

After downing breakfast and meeting some new friends I headed off to tackle the maze of booths. It was overwhelming at first, but I soon found myself absorbed with discovering all this new (to me) talent. I'm planning one showcasing some of my faves in separate posts--there are just too many to fit into one--but suffice it to say that there was a ton of stuff I just loved. And some gorgeous booths, too, like this one from Flakes Paperie.

By Jamie Brick

If you're looking for unique Christmas gifts this is certainly the place to hit. You'll find everything from dinnerware and jewellery to original paintings and clothing. I have to say that the pieces that seemed to speak to me the most were those made out of wood. Observe:



Stinson Studios



A tray made out of a recycled wine barrel from Wine Planks

Wood and Slate Blackboard by Kino Guérin

Annnd after hitting the show I scored a pair of great TopShop flats.

All TopShop shoes at Jonathan + Olivia (have you been? great

shop!) were 40% off, definitely not something I could pass up.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and

don't forget to enter the Orient Watch Giveaway!