In August, my friend CC and I took a drive to Port Perry. It was a hot, sunny, beautiful summer day and as we left Toronto, I was struck by what lies just outside the city's limits. Between the sprawling fields, decaying barns and wafting, pungent aromas of manure, I felt like I'd stepped into a time machine...
Burd's Fishing
When CC told me we were going fishing, I thought he was joking
It's a trout pond, but all I see is a teeming cesspool of fish lice.jpg)
Hey fishies, the Atlantic is thataway -->
Ha! Caught one! I nicknamed my easy prey Ziggy after the fella in the pic
I told CC there was no way in hell I was gonna eat that thing. After spending several hours in the car in a bag of ice, it was lovingly prepared and hungrily devoured by his cleaning lady. No word as to any subsequent "side effects".Hulshof Farms
Stunningly pretty view
Just like a painting, really
This is as close as I'll ever get to "roughin' it"
My urbanite sensibility sees this and thinks, how rustic, quaint, country blah,blah, blah...omg - it's just a freakin' sign
Where art thou, Romeo?
A true picture window
Field fresh beans are ten times sweeter than the waxy grocery store variety
Cute farmer boy holding his *ahem* zucchini
Enough broccoli to feed a small nation
There's no way that giant ass broccoli is fitting in my fridge, CCRoadside cafe
An adorable place for a pit stop
It sold the usual condiments, baked goods and frozen prepared dinners.jpg)
CC and I shared a slice of gluten free cake that was so stale you could use it to commit assault and battery
What's that, CC? Only 99 miles left to go??Port Perry
An idyllic waterfront view__pics by CC
Had grilled fish and salad here; the waitress was a sweetie
I wonder if he caught anything...
The local barber's vacation noticeMISC.
Beautiful polished wood totem pole at 777 Bay St.
This spa treatment gift certificate will finally get my ass in the door of The Hazelton Hotel
Dinner with Mr. Movie__Sado Sushi
I sampled raw fish for the first time and devoured at least six of these shrimp sushi
My building's fire alarm system is connected to both the underlying gym and mall's systems, and is also extremely sensitive - if dust flies up into it, it goes off. As a consequence, there're many false alarms, of which this was one.
I counted at least four trucks arriving on the scene, all for naught.
My building's concierge talking to a very cute fireman
When it comes to packaging their product, Vitamin Water gets it right__Bloor St. W.
With this brightly-coloured binder, there's no excuse to forget your homework__Shoppers Drug Mart__Yonge St.
I can see myself in this dress, though I've no clue what's going on at the waistline__Le Chateau__Yonge St.HUDSON BAY CENTRE
I blame Kanye for this trend__Ardene
Visually-arresting M.A.C. poster
Rafters reflects the black-and-white trend with this lovely rug
This suit has St. Tropez written all over it__The Bay
Saw this in Shoppers Drug Mart
Aww...barf.
American Apparel poster__Holt Renfrew CentreMANULIFE CENTRE
Be an ass for Puma
On the makeup counter at Pharma Plus drugstoreIndigo Books
I was passing through the bookstore when lo and behold, there was A.J. Jacobs, who in his black thick-rimmed glasses, looked and sounded like a younger Jerry LewisIs it by coincidence or design that the extensive magazine rack is located next to an in-store mini Starbucks? I spent a lazy Sunday afternoon sipping tea and (carefully) flipping pages...
Mr. Cheekbones himself, Christian Bale
Sigh...Eric Bana
Vs. has convinced me that when it comes to fashion magazines, it's better to "go big or go home". Their publication has the size and heft of a coffee table book and is just as worthy of being a collector's item. Unfortunately, at $20 a pop, I'll have to content myself with mere browsing.
WANT: Cesare Paciotti sequined sandals__Elle UK
Fetishistic Alexander McQueen thigh high boots on Rachel Weisz__Elle UK
Hot model__Esquire__Sep.09
[The Man Who Couldn't Eat]
YORKVILLE
Cumberland St.
Behind those trees lies Sassafraz2006 Kitchen Fire
"Tough to put out a fire with twelve dollar martinis."
Hot boots at Specchio
Specchio sits like a jewel at the corner of Bay & Cumberland[My Shoes set]
Boldly graphic storefront__Red Letter
The Guild Shop introduced me to the wonderful world of Canadian craft
Lunch on the patio at MBCo (Montreal Bread Company), founded by Peter Morentzos
Peter Morentzos – Restaurant Master of MontrealEXCERPTS
Morentzos never forgets that he came from humble beginnings; now, he gives back to the community that has been good to him. He contributes to countless charitable causes, ranging from women’s shelters to leukemia. Every Christmas, he opens his restaurants to the homeless, who are treated as if they were elite clientele. Morentzos recalls one year when a family of four arrived, speaking little English. They had come to Canada for a better life but hadn’t had any luck. “At the end of the meal, they tried to tip the waiter with quarters and dimes,” Morentzos says. “I saw it, and that was the end. I went to the bathroom for at least 15 minutes by myself.”
He admits that he is strict with his employees. “I’ve always wanted to be a dictator of a small country,” he jokes.
We chat about personal style. “A person’s watch can tell many things,” he says. “A man’s tie can say it all.” In his life, Morentzos has seen numerous people come and go and can spot a phony from a mile away. “When you enter a restaurant, you ooze something that you want people to see,” he says. “I see people trying so hard to be something they’re not. It works for some people, but it doesn’t work for most.”
Since he said a watch reveals so much, we can’t help but notice that he wears his on his right wrist. We ask why he doesn’t wear it on the left. His answer is simple: “Because everybody else does.”
MRG: Morentzos Restaurant GroupIt is impossible to mention Montreal's vibrant restaurant scene without mentioning Peter Morentzos. Now 47 years old, his humble beginnings started as a pizza delivery boy and selling men’s clothing...Details are everything to Peter and his interpretation of such sensory elements have inspired him to develop well over 13 unique restaurant concepts and build over 65 restaurants in 20 years.
Yorkville Avenue
Karakashian Rug Gallery
Great hair salon poster__Zefir
Would you buy a $1.1 million condo from these people?Pusateri's
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An inside look at this mecca for expensive gourmet fare.jpg)
Only one gluten-free dessert option, last time I checked.jpg)
This may be why I'm broke...
...but at least they were delicious[Update: These chips were $3.99 at the recently opened McEwan market. Can anyone say markup?]
"Little Red Corvette....jpg)
...baby you're much too fast"
I enjoy the emotional quality of this painting...
...if not the murky, muddy colour__Framed by Izzy
Inside the new Diesel.jpg)
Modern lighting makes a bold statementAnthropologie
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Cute hanging pendant
This is, without a doubt, the most popular store on the block.jpg)
Their arrangements are an eclectic mix of ethnic, country, bohemian and vintage-inspired pieces.jpg)
The prices are reasonable too.jpg)
I plan to come back when my budget allows it
It's ordered chaos.jpg)
Vintage-inspired display
Striking floral pattern on this chair.jpg)
The Upset: Young Contemporary ArtAnthropologie set - Seattle
Anthropologie set - NY
I Love Anthropologie pool
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Talking Shop
Anthropologie: Selling a Lifestyle
[Entrepreneur.com - Sept.03]
Anthropologie doesn't sell merchandise—it sells a lifestyle. Founder Richard Hayne took lessons learned from his successful creation of Urban Outfitters, which sells hip clothing and accessories for twentysomethings, and transformed them into a concept where the focus is not on the fashion of the moment, but on merchandise that soothes women's souls while getting them to open their pocketbooks.
Anthropologie stores are a carefully orchestrated attack on the senses, from the French music to the aromatic candles burning to the rough-hewn signs throughout. Each retailing quadrant acts as its own island, displaying a theme and flavor all its own. Customers enter "The Washroom" and find exotic soaps, lotions, dispensers and even a medicine cabinet for sale. They step into "The Boudoir" and discover sumptuous sheets, duvet covers and pillows luxuriously displayed on a wrought-iron bed (also available for purchase). In fact, selling the props makes the stores seem as if the customer has uncovered a rare artifact—a piece that she alone can own.
The store flies in the face of traditional retailing: It focuses not on one category of goods, but on disparate merchandise that's centered around a theme. Books, clothing, jewelry and patio furniture can be found there. As market expert Jon Schallert of The Schallert Group, a management and marketing consulting firm in Sorrento, Florida, explains, "a 'controlled clutter' design works because it keeps the customer interested." He advises his own clients to display merchandise in an uncoventional way so the customer discovers the merchandise as if on a special treasure hunt. Anthropologie has mastered this strategy.
To foster originality in each of its 50 stores, Anthropologie hires two artists for every location to create art unique to that store. This helps bolster the image of Anthropologie as an independent, free-spirited retailer, not a cookie-cutter franchise.
Anthropologie's buyers are on a mission to scour the globe for interesting, relevant and unusual items for its core customer. They see her as a professional woman aged 30 to 45, well-read, well-traveled and well-educated, with a household income approaching $200,000.
And she is a devout fan. Customers spend an average of $80 per visit, leading to average sales per square foot of approximately $600—not bad for a store that is all about creating a mood.
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Hazelton Avenue
Stunning colour at the Bra Bar Boutique
Newly opened Ace Lifestyle tempts me into learning golf with these cute shoes__Hazelton Lanes
Yorkville Design Centre__Hazelton LanesSerpentine
Serpentine just opened in the old Hugo location
It's got a cool, tattoo parlour vibe which is atypical for the neighbourhood
Their helmets make me want a biker boyfriend so bad
I saw a hot pair of black velvet pant leggings (pleggings?) which I'm sure weren't cheap
I love the industrial lighting
Can I get this wallpaper for my bedroom?
Co-owner Paul sports some serious ink and jewelry_________________________________________
NEW POSTS
Philip Treacy
We're No. 9
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