LEFTBANKED | LA RIVE GAUCHE

.555 - now you're just somebody that I used to know

2012-02-15T03:13:00.004-05:00

I had a really weird dream last night. It was about an old friend of mine I don't talk to (much) anymore. In the dream I found out something that would really affect them, and if it happened in real life they would definitely need to know. When I woke up I kept wondering if it was actually true/if it was a sign & I should warn them. But obviously I won't say anything because it was only a dream.....
Anyway I don't even know why I'm writing about this on my blog.

Had this for "lunch" a few days ago, from Petite Thuet. I love this place! All their food is delicious. They have a location inside my building/at my lobby..so convenient.

Went to the Suits bar at Trump again on the weekend. I like their chocolate covered almonds.

Last night I intended to have a nice Monday evening doing homework down in my lobby. Suddenly the couches around me got swarmed by a group of women (but also a younger cute guy). I was slightly annoyed at first since I wasn't in the mood to be surrounded by drunk middle-aged women. But they turned out to be sooooo funny - I had such a great time hahah. I loved them. They were just staying at the hotel for a 2-day conference. I ended up just talking to them..needless to say, I got no hmwk done.

2nd hmwk attempt tonight - I went down to the lobby again to work on my Flash assignment. I am HORRIBLE with Flash, but after playing around with it for literally 4 hours, I got the hang of it and I actually enjoy it now. I am so proud of myself for successfully finishing the assignment (I kept wanting to give up at first). I also found myself 2 Valentines lol. Happy Valentine's Day, btw! I'm kind of indifferent to this day, but I always smile when I see a guy carrying a bouquet of flowers home.

My recent discovery: I always prefer foreign boys, but the only Canadian ones I like all seem to come from Vancouver (& coincidentally, the ones I met all have nice trenchcoats). A friend of mine moved there recently to go to UBC. I'm always asking him to find some cute ones and send them over here (Toronto needs more cute trenchboys!)

Watching HIMYM with Hennessy before bed..

.554 - I feel it for the first time

2012-02-10T00:40:00.003-05:00

This week went by so fast. The major things that happened last week seem like just yesterday. & a LOT has happened this past week. My mood has gone up and down (in the extremes; either really happy or really annoyed) in the span of like, 3 days. For the most part I've been really annoyed with some people and stressed about school. But today I'm fine. Something happened last night that made me really happy and relieved so I'm in a good mood again. :)

Sometimes I feel like I live life too fast. I'm not sure if you understand what I mean? I realized I get bored of things pretty easily, which is probably part of the reason too (for my previous point). I jump from one obsession to the next immediately, as soon as I find a replacement..sometimes this happens the day after.

Went to Ki again a few days ago with a friend I haven't seen in a long time to catch up on each other's exciting lives.

I don't remember the last time I came when I didn't order both edamame and sweet potato wedges. They really have THE BEST sweet potato wedges here!

I come to this place in the PATH a lot, it's called deKefir; mainly a frozen yogurt place. I've actually never gotten their yogurt because I don't like how it tastes..but I LOOOOVE the waffle!! I get one almost everyday.

Please check out the current sale going on at UNESTABLISH, one of my sponsor stores! Click here for a large selection of clothes and accessories on sale for up to 60% off! & if you use the code "TAKE10" at checkout, you get an additional 10% off. Free shipping on all orders!

.553 - Trump International Hotel & Tower - Toronto

2012-02-03T21:05:00.004-05:00

A few days ago my friend & I went to the Trump Hotel on their opening night!

We just stayed at their lobby bar, named Suits. I really want to go to the restaurant when it opens. The bar was kind of small but the lobby/entrance was really nice. I wouldn't mind living here :D It's actually just down the street from my building. Might be visiting a bit more often..

Last night we went to an event held by Toronto Business Casual called Taste of Distinction: Wine, Fashion & Diamonds. It was in the showroom of !Xam Diamonds.

After that, we quickly dropped by at Irish Embassy then Pravda (typical night) then I came home. Ended up being quite a good night.

My attempt at being productive today by sitting at Marche for most of the afternoon with my laptop and homework in front of me. Unsurprisingly, got nothing done as I just spent most of the time texting my friend about "Vandouche"s. Yea, that's a made up term lol..consisting of three words.

My front & back views.

Last week's bar-hopping

They had these drink coasters where people could write what they were celebrating that night. Instead of a birthday or anniversary (what most people wrote), my friend & I celebrated something else ;)

Dinner with my dad last week at a Japanese restaurant called Oniwa.

A lot has happened this week. I like how things are going right now, but I wish the next few months will pass by fast (for various reasons). I keep wanting to write about my life more in detail on this blog, but then every time when I get to the end it seems like the post is already long enough with all these photos. Maybe next time. I'm going through one of those phases again where my opinions/relationships with people I've known for a long time are quickly changing, and my outlook on life is changing too..well, just slightly.

.552 - baumkuchen

2012-01-26T21:03:00.004-05:00

As usual, photos found on my Blackberry from the past week..

Today I went to a chocolate store near me called Eitelbach. They're famous for their Baumkuchen ("tree cake") which is essentially cake covered in chocolate (the two in the clear wrapping). It was ok, it didn't taste that special or anything. But to be honest I don't even like chocolate - I was just curious to try it.

Finally went to Bloke & 4th on a night last week. It's a fairly new lounge/club that opened up on King West (IMO the best area for good lounges/clubs if you're not from here). I liked it, but there were so many people there that night. I liked the crowd - lots of well dressed people and every other guy wore like a blazer + scarf lol. That was totally the style there.

Crashing one of my ballroom parties..

Last week for Thursdays at Ki!!

Of course we got the usual edamame & sweet potato wedges (still the best I've ever had)

Irish Embassy night! I seem to be drinking more and more Sapporo these days..

So nothing really exciting has been happening in life lately. Just been busy with school and interning. I don't remember if I talked about my internship here yet? I just got it like 2 weeks ago. It's at a media marketing company (yea, sick of the fashion ones..) I'm there on the two days when I have no classes. I'm still trying to adjust to that..as much as I wish I had some days off to relax, I also really like the internship so far.

PS - I just reached 300 followers on my blog!!!!

Burberry Prorsum Fall 2012

2012-01-22T21:30:00.005-05:00

Some of my favourite looks from the latest Burberry menswear show. I wish more men dressed like this..

Burberry is definitely my favourite brand for men. #1 BF requirement: willingness to dress in Burberry trenchcoats.

.551 - let me see your bestest wine

2012-01-14T23:48:00.005-05:00

Sorry for the boring posts lately. I haven't been going out much these days. Yesterday was my dad's birthday so I went uptown for a buffet dinner. The pic above is of my house in the suburbs - haven't been there in so long!!

I'm in what I refer to as the "danger zone" right now. It's not anything bad..just a type of situation I've always avoided before because I hate what happens in the end. But while it's happening it's fun. I feel like I'm speaking more and more in code on this blog lol.

Some random photos found on my phone:

A friend of mine went to the States during the holidays and brought back a bottle of purple Hpnotiq for me!! It's called Harmonie & it's pretty new. Actually it's not even available in Canada yet. I'm excited to try it..but I think the blue looks better. If you don't know yet, Hpnotiq is my absolute favourite drink.

Met my friend at Real Sports Bar last Tuesday night. Lots and lots of Leafs fans (for the game)

Went to Marche earlier today to do some hmwk. Their internet wasn't working which meant I was actually able to be productive.

.550 - erotic city come alive

2012-01-09T20:11:00.009-05:00

This is how I want to dress up my boyfriend. + other Burberry trenchcoats. + damier graphite bags. + shiny Tom Ford suits with pocket squares!

Obligatory Pravda pic. I went there again last thursday - fun night! They had a bunch of balloons there..maybe left over from the New Year's party? At first I went with a friend from my building, who left after awhile. Then my friend and her Bulgarian friend came by. I also saw this guy I knew who has a suit store + his friends..I think they are very curious with what I do in my life lol. I think next time I see them I should make it clear they're wrong. (Not sure if you know what I'm talking about..)

After Pravda, we dropped by Irish Embassy and met some Brits with nice English accents. After that, I went with my friend's friend for some late night food at Fran's. Stuffed myself with a poutine. Then got home around 4am..when I walked into my lobby the fire alarm turned on! When the alarm is on, the elevators are down. So I just sat there for awhile waiting for it to end..was not going to use the stairs. At least I got to see a bunch of firemen lol.

People usually stay in their rooms during our fire alarms but that night I met someone new in my building. An 18 year old kid from Saudi Arabia..apparently he's here to learn English and go to university. Don't remember the last time I met so many foreigners in one night hahah.

The weather was unusually warm last friday so I took a walk down to the harbour with Hennessy. I used to come every night in the summer! I missed it.

The most gorgeous sunset ever!! This was taken with my Blackberry by the way..in person it was much more amazing.

Polar Bears @ Irish Embassy aka one of the only shots I can handle.

Friday night dinner with my friend at Guu! This place is always ridiculously busy..after two failed attempts in the past to get a seat, we finally made it into their Sakabar location on Bloor West. I've heard lots of good things about this place before and I actually really loved it!! The atmosphere in there is crazy/fun.

We got way more food than we could even finish but it was all delicious. I'll attempt to describe everything we ordered, for those who are interested:

Kinoko Bibimap ($8.8): rice, mushrooms & cheese with seaweed sauce in sizzling stone bowl.
I loved this a lot! The rice has a bit of a different texture than normal rice..like kind of soft and sticky. Didn't really taste the cheese. Will definitely order it again next time.

Gyu Shabu Salad ($6): shabu-shabu beef on greens with sesame dressing
I usually don't eat a lot of meat but the beef in this salad was delicious! It was really soft/tender and went really well with the dressing. This was one of my favourite things that we got. Will order it again next time too.

Edamame ($3.5): steamed soybean with seasalt
This is kind of self-explanatory. Edamame tastes more or less the same everywhere. I like how they gave a huge portion though.

Chicken Tortilla Pizza: This one's not on their menu - it was something they only had that night. It tasted so strange and was probably one of the worst things I've ever eaten. Maybe I'm being too extreme lol..but it basically tasted like a mixture of chicken and some type of fish.

Takoyaki ($5): deep friend octopus balls with tonkatsu sauce & karashi mayo
Normally I wouldn't ever eat octopus but I decided to try one of these balls. I didn't like it that much, but I think someone who likes octopus/seafood might like it?

Karubi ($6.8): sweet & spicy miso grilled short ribs
There were 5 thin pieces of this in one order..very good!!

Agedashi Tofu ($5.5): deep friend tofu in dashi broth
I really really liked this. I think my review of our food is a bit biased though, since I'm not a huge meat eater. The broth was very good. Will order again next time.

Karaage ($6.8): deep friend soy sauce marinated chicken with garlic mayo
This tasted like regular fried chicken to me. Apparently it's the third most popular thing on their menu though. It's good if you like fried chicken..we ended up taking like all of this home though, since our stomachs were bursting by that time lol. Don't think I'll get it again just because it was way too fried.

& a few more things that are unpictured:

Kakimayo ($7.2): baked BC oyster with mushrooms, spinach and garlic mayo topped with cheese
I only tried a little bit of this because I don't like oysters but if you do, it's very delicious. Very creamy and filling.

Black Sesame Ice Cream ($4): I'm like a black sesame ice cream connoisseur (hahah) but I didn't taste any black sesame in this one. Just tasted like flavourless ice cream. Maybe I have strange taste buds because my friend thought it had a strong taste.

---

I think that's all we ordered. It was way too much food for two people though..I think 6 different things would've been enough. Totally slipped into a food coma. But I really liked it..all their foods are very unique and not too expensive. Will have to go back soon!

& also, thank you Ron for putting my link on your blog!! You guys should all click here & check out his blog :D

.549 - Damien Hirst.

2012-01-04T20:38:00.007-05:00

Hi everyone, I hope you all had an amazing new year's!! Mine was good, even though I didn't do much this year. I just went to a house party with my friend (like second house party I've attended in my life?) I'm glad 2011 is over because I'm pretty excited for 2012!

Lately I've been going through that phase of just staying home almost every night. Actually I just checked..it's only been less than 3 weeks since my extreme "Pravda phase" (where I went practically every night) but it feels like forever to me. Those nights are just on the previous page hahah.

I assume the reason for this is what I wrote about in my private blog ..or maybe because the Christmas season is over so there's not as many parties anymore. So my new year's resolution is on that private post. I only have one main goal for now but REALLY not sure how long that one will last. I don't like to write much on this blog because too many people I know read it. & the main topic I write about there doesn't belong on here hahah. I love reading my entries on there from 2 years ago. I used to always write about everyone I meet and my first impressions of them..it's funny comparing that to what I think about them now, especially those I'm still friends with.

Massive dinner ~~sausage fest~~ a few nights ago at Bier Markt with my friend.

Pravda last thursday..think that was the last time I was there. Seems like forever hahah. & really, no post would be complete without an obligatory Pravda pic.

.548 - Кремль

2011-12-29T20:53:00.007-05:00

Just put up these Paris wall stickers! What do you think of them? I have more and will be giving them away or selling them..

Beautiful sunset..& the moon is beside the CN Tower if you can find it.

Got this in the mail yesterday, thanks to Carte-Blache!! I love surprises :D

Here's what was inside. A pair of handmade sunglasses by the Italian brand Sunettes.

Christmas card from Russia..I love the stamps!

& some more photos of Christmas around Toronto!

My galloping dog. I updated my sales page - if you're interested in the Union Jack cardigan I'm wearing in these pics (I know you can barely see), I have an extra one for sale.

My Kremlin/St.Basil's painting on the right side. I think you can see it (Moscow and the Kremlin) three times in this post hahah.

.547 - red velvet

2011-12-26T03:20:00.006-05:00

I wish you all had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I had a great week. Was able to spend some time with my mom and sister. My dad just left for a trip to Hong Kong a couple days ago. Really really wish I could've gone as well....

I can't believe how fast 2011 went by. I know 2012 will be a good year though..I can't wait until I graduate from school in May. I think I will go to Europe afterwards..but more on that later!

As usual, some random photos:

A Moveable Feast by Hemingway - I got this book after watching Midnight in Paris (which is an amazing movie - if you still haven't seen it, you should!). I didn't have much time to read it until now, plus it seems right for the Christmas season.

I went to Yorkville a few days ago for some last minute shopping. Actually it was a failed attempt, since I just spent most of my time going around looking for Christmassy foods. Saw these at Pusateri's! I wanted to get literally everything..

I might be one of the few people in the world who do not like chocolate (I only like chocolate ice cream) but these were so cute!!

Got this for dinner from Pusateri's - carbonara pasta..one of the best I've ever had!! I need to try the rest of their dinner stuff/other pastas!

& dessert. I got some macarons - my favourite was chocolate hazelnut. I also got red velvet, chocolate, and passion fruit..they were alright. Also got a bag of biscotti - soooooo good. I must go back again for more!! I wish they would open a Pusateri's closer to where I live..

As always I'm pretty behind on my blog so even though Christmas is over now, I'll still be posting Christmas photos in the next couple days.

& one final thing - can't believe I already have 208 blog followers now! I had this blog for years but it was only a few weeks ago that I started whoring my blog out hahah. I'm happy with how fast it's grown..up until 3 weeks ago I was at about 60 followers for the longest time. Also thank you for all the comments on my previous posts..I no longer have the time to reply to every single one of them. Over the next few months I'm going to be deleting a bunch of my old posts/all the embarrassing cringe-worthy ones.

.546 - Glühwein

2011-12-21T19:25:00.007-05:00

Finally made it to the Distillery's Christmas Market last Sunday - on its final day! It turned out to be better than I expected. The only other time I went was last year, when I went on the first day they opened so it wasn't so busy that time. But it was fun this year. I mainly went because I wanted to try Glühwein hahah. I wish they sold more authentic German stuff..

Sitting around the fire enjoying our Glühwein :) It was delicious!! It's basically warm red wine with a lot of spices..tastes like apple cider mixed with red wine. I want to try making my own one of these days.

I wear lots of sequins year-round but even more during the holiday season!

Picked up the new issue of King West Magazine ..was happy/surprised to see they took a picture of me walking Hennessy! lol I had no idea. This is the second (?) time I've been shot for streetstyle :D

FOR SALE!!

.545 - Blowfish on Bay

2011-12-18T03:23:00.006-05:00

New dress I got a few days ago! CLICK.
I'm going to post more photos of it in my next post. The funny thing is I have two of them now, so I am selling the extra one (never worn!). I got my Christmas present from my sister today and turns out she bought me this dress as well..since she knew I wanted it & didn't know I already bought it lol. I'd bring it back to the store but lost the receipt.
I'll put all the details in the next post, but it retailed for about $430+tax - I am going to sell it for $350 including shipping anywhere in the world. It is completely brand new, and a size Small. Please email me if you are interested! (tiffany@leftbanked.com)

The colour matches perfectly with my Gucci clutch :D

Had an early dinner today at Blowfish with my dad and sister.

Edamame + Orange & Black + Spicy Tuna makimonos

Chicken Kara-age makimono

Pan-Seared Ribeye Beef Enoki Roll with Teriyaki Reduction (first time I tried this..very good!!)

Scallops

Flourless Chocolate Cake (Torte?) + Mango Tempura

After dinner we went to the TSO/Toronto Symphony Orchestra for the Messiah concert

My posts (or a night) wouldn't be complete without Pravda! hahah. Yes..went there AGAIN last night. We got there half an hour before they closed. Got some champagne - had to drink it all very fast since they were closing..at first it didn't have much effect on me but then suddenly it hit me very hard & I got incredibly tipsy.

Lights went on. Stumbled out.

I used to bring that clutch with me all the time to Pravda..it's bathed in all sorts of alcohol.

After we left we looked around for some places I probably shouldn't have been, crashed some afterparties, got kicked out of the afterparties, looked for more places, got food, then back home..like a usual spontaneous night.

Thursday night, I went to this company holiday party in my building that I was actually invited to (since I usually attend uninvited hahah).

I know the president & a bunch of people who work at the company so that's why I was able to go. Was fun - had a couple Hpnotiqs (they had to bring it up especially for me because I'm so high maintenance with alcohol) + lots of food.

Just one more week until Christmas...

.544 - Johnny, la gente esta muy loca

2011-12-14T22:43:00.007-05:00

This past week had been so busy for me - both with homework and going out. I'm so happy that my final project is handed in & school is over for the semester!! But I also suddenly realized that it's already mid-December =\ Time goes by so fast these days. It's been a pretty good week..here's some photos of what happened:

My lobby!

There's a company holiday party literally every single night in my ballroom..one of my favourite things about this month. I went to the one last Friday - Bereskin & Parr law firm.

Then Pravda for Friday & also Saturday night (where else?).

O&B right before Pravda.

Yes, back to Pravda last night/Tuesday night. Had to go out to celebrate (somewhat) for handing in the final project of the semester!

Fallsview on Saturday! For those who don't know..it's a big casino beside Niagara Falls. This was the first time I been to this casino actually. I signed up for their membership card and think I'll be coming back quite often from now on lol. I know it's the start of a dangerous addiction..

We got there around noon and had lunch first at a Chinese restaurant/buffet

Entrance to the casino

I don't think I'm going to be playing slots any more. It's both addictive and impossible to win.

Walked around a bit, watched some cute boys make candy.

Updated my private blog a couple times recently. If you want an invite, let me know (only if you don't know me in real life though)

PS - Want a chance to win 1 of 12 free fragrances? Contest ends on December 20th and you can enter once per day - GO!

.543 - Crystal Head Vodka x Alexander McQueen

2011-12-06T20:43:00.019-05:00

Here's some photos from a photoshoot I did for school last year. I realized I never posted these on my blog before, and I wanted to make post links for the photos on the right side of my page so I decided to make this post. It is a bottle of Crystal Head Vodka (great prop!) and my Alexander McQueen skull ring. & some of my other gold and black jewellery.

It was fun shooting this. I much prefer shooting objects than people, as you can probably tell from the rest of my blog..

Anyway I'm currently going through the process of finding old posts to link to the photos on the right side. Some of them are clickable now and I'll finish the rest later. I'm thinking of also going through all my old entries and deleting the embarassing ones (like 80% of my old and ancient posts)

I think I mentioned this before but I'm still on the lookout for the lifesized skull! I also went to Swarovski today and found this crystal skull which is pretty cool. I have such an obsession with skulls..

.542 - flash cars, big watches, and false boobs.

2011-12-02T03:52:00.010-05:00

Pravda last night. I'm in that phase again where I come here like three times a week. We were here a long time yesterday & I totally suffered the consequence of that this morning (not a hangover if that's what you're thinking). But it was fun & spontaneous nights are always good.

Perogies + smoked salmon..so good!!!

Beer Bistro the night before.

My blog seems to be turning into a food & drinks/bars/lounges blog again.

This past weekend was the Cavalcade of Lights at City Hall.

We made it here just in time for the fireworks! They literally came on like 2 minutes after we got there.

My mom was visiting me that day and we went to dinner at Bannock! Glad I finally got to try this place. I love all restaurants by O&B. This was their BLT Bannock..it was amazing! I really loved it. It tasted different/better than a normal "BLT". Also tried the poutine but it wasn't that good..

Canoe wine

Real Sports Bar: the 4th stop of bar-hopping (aka douchery night) last friday.

This post was definately an overload of bars/restaurants hahah. I've been updating my private blog quite a bit lately..if for some reason you want to read it, ask me for an invite.

.541 - chrome blue

2011-11-25T20:18:00.007-05:00

This was Brookfield Place last week - they had their annual Christmas lighting event. Most of you know I LOVE this building. I come here multiple times a day. It's right beside where I live and directly connected to my building underground so some nights I just like to take a walk there (they always play nice music too) &/or to go to Marche. Anyway this event is one of my favourites of the year. They had circus acrobats, silent auctions, lots and lots of free food & drinks..

Chocolate fountain!! Normally I don't like chocolate but I love when it's in the form of a fountain

My white wine and tiramisu from Obika - it was amazing!

Fully in the Christmas mood, I then went to Royal York (another place I come to a LOT lol) to have my first apple cider of the year..my personal tradition.

Christmas is also a time for lots of sequins! Actually I wear quite a bit of it already..

Yorkville a couple days ago. I always love going there in the winters especially..lots of nice Christmas decorations everywhere.
That day I mainly went there to buy new toys for my dog & to meet my sister for crepes.

I got Hennessy these gingerbread toys..

The next day.....sighh. He manages to destroy 90% of all the toys I buy him!! The "Cristal & Dom Perignon" ones are the only ones left intact so far hahah. Figures. Even as dog toys they are still the best quality!

Stockyards a couple sunday nights ago with my friend. It was my first time coming here..they BBQ your food in front of you. It's a pretty popular place - really busy when we went. So busy that they usually run out of food before they even close lol (I thought this was pretty weird - not sure why they don't stock more)

My new chrome blue Blackberry!!! I had it gold (as you can see in the first pic) for a few weeks and today the chrome blue just arrived so I changed it. I really like it. The colour's a bit different in this picture - it's actually brighter in real life.

CN Tower's Christmas colours!

.540 - Ninja Matryoshkas

2011-11-22T19:54:00.013-05:00

Some of you may know, I collect matryoshka dolls (amongst many other Russian things). I ordered these ninja ones a few weeks ago & they finally came in the mail yesterday!! Had a lot of fun doing a photoshoot with them.

This is their home..my Armand de Brignac champagne box. Matches perfectly hahah.

----------------------------------------------------------The past month has been crazy. I've been working on school projects like non-stop. Next week is my last week of school before the holidays and I can't be more excited. But unfortunately I've still got a few more major projects due before then...sigh. Here's a few photos from my phone I haven't posted yet from the past few weeks:

Went with my friend to the Royal Agricultural Fair parties one night. They were all black tie parties: men in tuxedos, women in ball gowns..I definately wasn't dressed formal enough lol.

At LCBO the other day, I discovered that Crystal Head Vodka is for sale now!!! (LOVE how it's right beside the Hpnotiq heheh) It was banned here before. I have one bottle of it and want another one..great for photoshoot purposes. My friend told me there's a life-sized one so I'm trying to look for that.

At Vertical last week!

At the Royal York..I've been starting to come more often again. Well I always come here throughout the year but I especially love going there during the winters. Especially with apple cider :)

.539 - pirate ships

2011-11-12T22:56:00.008-05:00

Haven't updated my blog in forever because I've been ridiculously busy the past week..& it'll only get worse next week. This is what I get for slacking off most of last month. Here's a quick post to show you what I've been working on.

One of the things I love about having two laptops - I can watch movies/tv shows non-stop on one and do my stuff on the other!

Working on my portfolio website! It's actually a lot of fun..I've only made the images so far; haven't started the dreaded coding yet. As you can sort of tell, I've decided to make it pirate themed.

It takes soooo much time. I've spent probably 20 hours on it already and I've still got a LOT to do. There's about 50 pages in total?!

Lately this has been my routine: few hours everyday doing hmwk in Starbucks, then whenever I get hungry..

over to Marche for food for a few more hours.

I am a lot more motivated in nice surroundings.
I rarely do hmwk at home..only late at night when ~~everywhere else~~ Marche & Starbucks are closed. Or sometimes I do it in my lobby downstairs. I always get distracted in my place..like right now, procrastinating by updating my blog!

I've been doing so much online shopping lately. Every few hours of hmwk-ing I must reward myelf..hahah
So I got this Union Jack sweater the other day. I really love it & have gotten a lot of compliments on it. I actually ordered 2, so I am selling one! I'll make a proper sale post for it + more photos when I have time. I have a lot of other stuff I'm selling as well but haven't gotten around to posting those up yet. I will do it as soon as I can! Check back!

EMAIL ME FOR DETAILS IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN THIS SWEATER! (tiffany@leftbanked.com)

.538 - Laneige

2011-10-30T21:44:00.006-04:00

Finally got around to dusting/re-organizing the stuff on my washroom counter a few nights ago.

Used Estee Lauder skincare for the past couple years & accumulated all these serums. I just threw them all out. I'm too much of a hoarder! I need to get rid of all my things that just sit there collecting dust.

Set up all my new Laneige products. I love it so far!

Got these new knee-high boots a few days ago! I love them!!

Also got a new laptop. I love white VAIOs! I always watch shows on one and do my stuff on the other lol.

Working on my website..

So I went to the Avril Lavigne concert this week. It was literally the first concert I've ever been to in my life! lol I'm not even a fan of her really..but my friend had an extra ticket & brought me

Looking back at the crowd..we were in the area at the very front.

Doing hmwk at Marche. I actually don't like the food there but the atmosphere is good for studying.

My dog sleeps in weird positions.

.537 - Stella Artois: World Draught Masters 2011

2011-10-22T15:47:00.005-04:00

The national championships for the Stella Artois World Draught Masters was held in my building's ballroom last night. I went to check it out..saw so many people up there that I knew (mostly residents from my building lol) It was pretty cool - I wish they had parties like this more often here. Basically this was a competition for bartenders on pouring the perfect Stella..apparently there's 9 steps involved.

Here's most of the pics I took last night:

Chocolate fondue fountain!!!!

The DJ's laptop

view from the balcony. I've crashed many parties here in the past but never been to one that was this packed.

With about an hour left until last call we went to Pravda! Then 3am food at Fran's..

Souvenirs from the night. Got a box of Werther's, candy corn & Kerr's Eclair candy which ended up being my breakfast this morning.

.536 - conspicuous consumption

2011-10-18T22:37:00.003-04:00

NEW SHOES!! Look familiar? I have the same style in the other colour combo..actually I have two pairs of the other colour since my dog destroyed the heel of one pair. Hopefully he won't touch these ones =\ I really need some new winter boots but couldn't resist getting these..I love the colour too much. & I'm starting to get more comfortable wearing them everywhere.

Small assignment I did for school last week that took me forever to complete. It's supposed to show conspicuous consumption.

Found a good use for all my old Estee Lauder moisturizer containers lol. I missed painting! Wish I could do it more often.

.535 - Kitchener Waterloo Oktoberfest 2011

2011-10-15T00:13:00.002-04:00

Last weekend I went to Oktoberfest in Kitchener! It wasn't really what I expected it to be but apparently we went during the wrong day/time. I want to go to Oktoberfest in Germany someday..

Then we went to Stratford!! I love this town

White & black swans

Then Japanese for dinner on the way home..

I'm so behind on my blog. Expect another post shortly. Life is kind of boring these days..school is depressing and stressful. I really miss the summer :(

.534 - a far l'amore comincia tu

2011-10-06T18:14:00.004-04:00

Spice Route for dinner last weekend with my mom and sister. We were literally the first ones there lol.

Indian spiced dips + naan

Singapore rice noodles/wok seared beef + spicy curry sauce, and sweet & sour pork/grilled pineapple + sweet peppers

Tempura banana, vanilla bean ice cream with chocolate drizzle & sesame praline

Entrance to Spice Route. I think this might be the first time I've posted decent pictures from here lol..the 84208230284 of pics I posted of this place before were always dark/from my phone

Entrance to the Ritz..passed by on the way to:

The Shore Club! I've been wanting to check this place out for so long and finally found someone to come with me last week. I think they are owned by the same company that owns Ki..?

The view from the Corus building - failed attempt at going to Against the Grain. We drove there, paid for parking, then found out they were already closed =\

Nuit Blanche, as seen from my window. They had this installation in our courtyard fountain..I think it's supposed to be like an alien invasion? Pretty cool.

For some reason this was my favourite installation. To be honest I don't care much for Nuit Blanche anymore. I liked it in the previous years but now, when I think about it, none of the art is really that impressive. There's so many random installations that are only mediocre at best.

.533 - instituto marangoni

2011-09-28T00:52:00.003-04:00

This past weekend I went to a global expo that was mostly about studying abroad. I graduate in less than a year's time, and have been thinking more and more about what I want to do in the future. I don't have enough energy to write a long post about it now, but long story short - for awhile now I have regretted studying fashion. I like fashion as a regular hobby but not enough that I want to pursue a career in it. The other industry I want to work in is tourism, so I'm considering going into that now. I also regret studying fashion because I'll be getting a Bachelor of Design, which isn't a requirement for any job really.

Although when I think about studying for a master's degree in the future, the idea of continuing on with fashion isn't completely out of the question. Depends on which school I go to. I think part of the reason why I don't like it as much now because the program my school has for fashion isn't exactly what I thought it'd be. I am more interested in the business side, but we don't have many courses related to that. So when I went to the expo, I got some info on Instituto Marangoni, a fashion school with campuses in Milan, Paris & London. I think the woman/rep was the epitome of how it's like in the fashion industry. I can't explain it too well but it took her awhile to actually talk to me (she spent some time just looking me up and down at first) and give me info. As if she needed to know I was absolutely serious about fashion first before talking to me (she actually ASKED if I was serious about studying fashion when I asked her for a brochure). Funny because I actually am not, but I didn't let her know that. I thought she was intentionally rude at first but then she got nicer after awhile lol..

Then compared to the people at the Hotel Management schools in Switzerland..they were like the total opposite end of the spectrum. Very nice and informative. & the Swiss boys were cute, naturally. So I got a bunch of brochures and realized it was probably a waste because if I were to continue on with a master's degree abroad, the top schools I'd like to attend are either Central St. Martins (obviously) or University of Monaco. THEN I got to thinking...is it even worth it to get more education??

I can go on and on about school but for now..as usual, some random photos from my phone over the past weeks. Life has been pretty uneventful lately..

Brassaii last weekend

One sunday night in my lobby watching Kill Bill Vol. 1, aka one of my favourite movies ever!!!

King West Mag! It's a fairly new publication. I've been looking to get an issue when I first heard about it..and finally the other day I realized I can pick them up for free at my valet desk lol.

.532 - welcome to St. Tropez

2011-09-16T21:17:00.005-04:00

8am at the harbourfront a few days ago. I don't know if I've ever been up so early, by choice, on a day off but there's a first for everything. Well I was out the night before with a friend..kind of pulled an all nighter..took a short "nap" then went to the harbour.

So the night before: first we went to Ki !

Then Earls - I'm coming here so often these days!! They have a nice patio & amazing bellinis..sure I've said this many times before

love sunsets at the harbour. Really going to miss coming here practically everyday once the weather gets even more colder :(

More random pics from bar-hopping this week:

Last sunday night at the Thompson Hotel..after an unsuccessful night of searching for a good TIFF party

the last few weeks of summer, I did a ton of online shopping for random stuff. I really shouldn't do this because after the things arrive I usually lose interest in them lol. I only buy them in the first place because I'm such an impulsive shopper. Anyway this owl necklace and moustache ring..I'm selling them. Let me know if you're interested!

New skincare haul!! I always change skincare brands every few years; the last couple years I used Estee Lauder and now I'm trying Laneige. I really like the packaging (always the top selling point for me). I haven't started using them all yet but so far I tried the serum and BB cream - really like them. They have a very nice scent.

.531 - Nikki Beach at Bell Lightbox for TIFF 2011

2011-09-10T19:54:00.008-04:00

A few days ago I went to an opening party for TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) on the rooftop terrace of Bell Lightbox! It was by Nikki Beach - loved it!! So nice up there. Officially the nicest rootop patio I've seen in Toronto so far. I really liked the set-up of it. The DJ that night was also really good..apparently he's from St. Tropez. He played that song "Welcome to St. Tropez" which is officially one of my new favourites/on repeat. & I kept asking my friend to Shazam all the song titles of most of the other songs lol

Saw a lot of B, C, D-List celebs..I am THE worst with celebrities so I didn't know most of their names. But a lot of people looked familiar..like we saw Chuck Norris & Stavros Niarchos doppelgangers hahah

This was the terrace - there were steps that go to the top, and in between/every few steps would be a platform with couches. I'm not good with descriptions so here's a very nice visual

Amazing view of King St

Saw my building from there! The one on the right, at the end of the street.

They had some of these beds inside the tent. Very cool.

& a bed at the very top!

Entrance.

We also dropped by Brant House for like 10 minutes at first. Adrien Grenier was there (I don't watch the show but he's the guy from Entourage..he's also staying at my building!)

Apparently this is Russell Peters..not sure who the other people are.

.530 - Kremlin / Red Square / St. Basil's Cathedral / Moscow

2011-09-08T02:22:00.007-04:00

Look what I finally got in the mail yesterday!!! Sooo happy when it arrived. I went on an extensive search to find the perfect large poster to hang on that wall for a long time. I had a couple different scenes I wanted (it was between this, Nyhavn in Copenhagen or Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong). Actually the one I wanted most was Nyhavn, but I couldn't find a nice enough print of it. Then I found this - the Kremlin in Moscow! As most of you know, I really love Russia (if you look on the nightstand in the corner, coincidentally I have a book of Russia lol)

With the painting I did for a school project two years ago. It's part of St. Basil's Cathedral

A few days ago I found some tapioca from an Asian grocery store & made bubble tea!!

Tapioca..looks like giant caviar

The sky was really pink a couple days ago. My camera automatically balanced the colour so you can't see it too well..but in reality it was probably 5x more pink than you can see here. So beautiful.

A building just down the street from me. I've walked by this thousands of times but never actually realized how beautiful it is. I mean there's lots of buildings you see all the time but never really appreciate its architecture until you take a moment to isolate it from its surroundings and just look at it. If you look at this building by itself it looks like a building in Europe.
I love where I live - I'm right on the borderline of the old (St. Lawrence) & new (financial district/bank buildings). hahah actually my building itself is a combination of the old and new; the lobby & first 13 floors used to be the headquarters of TD Bank like 400 (?) years ago. The rest of the floors (where I live) were built in the past 5 years.

Went to Earl's earlier tonight. I love their entrance!

I love the patio too! I hope they keep it open for the Winter..or Fall at least. The weather took a drastic turn this week and now it's getting cold already :( I never liked hot weather but I'm not ready for patio season to end!

dark photo..but our drinks were really colourful. The 2 shots are supposed to be blue. I had a white peach bellini - it was soooo good!!! The best bellini I've had.

Classes tomorrow..I have to wake up in 5.5 hours & I'm still here blogging =\

.529 - pink skyscraper

2011-09-03T02:22:00.005-04:00

I finally went for my first ever motorcycle ride last week!! I know a few people who have motorcycles & I've talked about going for a ride with them for so long but never got around to it til last week. It wasn't as scary as I thought..it was a lot of fun actually. Would definately go again!

It was after I went to Pravda lol..so we just went around taking night shots. My friend took the photo above.

The CIBC located right beside my building..I love it here. It's the most beautiful historic bank building in my opinion.

Sunset at the harbour. So I go back to school this Tuesday. Absolutely dreading it. It's going to be my final year...can't believe how fast time flies. When I started this blog I was still in high school!! & living with my parents! Sometimes I wish life would slow down but at the same time I'm excited for the future. One thing I will miss the most about summer is going to the harbour with Hennessy practically every night..

Earlier tonight I went to Blowfish for dinner with my friends. Got my usual Okinawan - sweet potato tempura, avocado, banana, etc..so good!!

then we went to Spice Route for a bit. Good night - two of my favourite places :)

I went to Chinatown a couple times this week. I think I suddenly had the urge to go because I was craving stuff like good bubble tea + other Asian foods. Prior to that, I literally haven't gone in maybe more than 10 years?! It's actually kind of fun going there..it's like a whole different world hahah. I mean it brings back so many memories, and it kind of makes me feel like I'm in Hong Kong again which is a nice feeling. It's crazy the amount of restaurants they have there. I'll try getting takeout there one of these days - I used to hate Chinese food since I had it everyday living with my parents..but now, after 3 years of living by myself & not eating it..I'm kind of craving it a bit. One thing about Chinatown is I never know whether to speak Cantonese or English with the shopkeepers. I can speak Cantonese fluently without any accent & it always surprises them that I know it (since the younger generation here usually only speaks english..regardless of their background). I also stumbled into a grocery store and found some tapioca to make my own bubble tea!!!!! So excited to try that tomorrow. I'm also gonna go there one of these nights to take pictures..I think Chinatown would be perfect for some night photography (with all their colorful shop signs). This makes me wish I could have my summer back again. I wish I had spent more time on exploring the city & venturing out of my usual "comfort zones" of King St W, the harbour & Yorkville. There's so many areas in the city I've never even been yet..& I've lived here for years now. The thought of school being 3 days away is making me so depressed & making me create a mental list of things I wish I had more time for. As usual I've procrastinated this entire summer; the whole time, I was stuck in the mindframe that summer vacation was just starting & that I'd still have a lot more time to do everything on my summer list..

.528 - Hermes Sping Summer 2011 Catalogs

2011-09-02T00:12:00.005-04:00

The World of Hermes: Spring Summer 2011
Volume I

I love Hermes catalogs! Got these over a month ago & am only now starting to flip through them.

This one features a lot of Hermes artisans at work, constructing beautiful bags.

I actually really love the shape of the Lindy.

Time to Dream
2011 Timepieces

I love the photos in this. Would be cool to take a peacock for a walk someday

.527 - Toronto Buskerfest 2011 - Part II

2011-08-31T02:06:00.004-04:00

Here's some more photos from Buskerfest last weekend. It went from Thursday to Sunday..since it was located so closeby I went a total of 10+ times.

Pyromancer

Watching the Fireguy..for once I actually got a really good unobstructed view standing spot.

Pyromancer again. There were like 20+ different buskers & for some reason I kept watching the same ones over and over again.

& some random photos from my Blackberry:

A couple weeks ago my friend (an ice cream fanatic) & I went to Dutch Dreams. It's a popular ice cream shop..excessively decorated. It's pretty popular too - there was a big lineup that went out the door.

I got Heavenly Hash. I love how they add a lot of stuff on top of it. To be honest I think this is why this place is so popular: for the presentation & shop decor, since the ice cream itself didn't taste like anything spectacular.

pulling out my Graffiti scarf again..love that the weather is becoming cooler lately! But also sad because summer is already coming to an end :( In the back of my mind I keep thinking that it's just beginning

.526 - Toronto Buskerfest 2011

2011-08-27T18:28:00.005-04:00

Very behind on my blog once again! Here's a quick post with some pics of Buskerfest! It's going on for four days this year..tomorrow's the last day. I've been going literally like 3 times everyday lol. Well I live pretty much just down the street & go to that area alot anyway. I love it!

There's my building! The white flat one.

This was taken on thursday/the first day it started so it wasn't too busy yet.

I'll post the rest of the photos in my next post.

Last night I went to Devil's Martini - first time at this place. Actually I never even heard about it til last night. It's kind of weird how I've stayed in almost every night for the past couple weeks or so then suddenly last night I had like 4 different people asking me to go out somewhere. & I rarely go out on weekends (usually during the week). Anyway I came here with a few of my friends & we took Hpnotiq shots! :D It was a fun night.

Afterwards we all went to my friend's place (who also lives in my building) & smoked some shisha!

.525 - FOR SALE

2011-08-19T17:37:00.009-04:00

Dior bag for sale..

It's actually my mom's. She's selling it because she never uses it..it was bought about 3 years ago & still in PERFECT condition because it's been used about 5 times or less!! Looks brand new.

It was purchased at the Dior boutique in Holt Renfrew for a bit over $1000 - will sell for around $650 or best offer. It's a really good deal because it's in PERFECT condition + Dior bags are going for a lot more these days..

More photos here!!!

Also selling this ring..it's made of crystals and very sparkly.

Email me if you're interested in either one or if you want more pics, etc: tiffany@leftbanked.com or leave your email & I will contact you.

.524 - my past life

2011-08-16T19:32:00.013-04:00

I deleted my post I made last night..where I was talking about reading my old blog entries. I'm going through them one by one still and I'm only on like the 80th post. A few things I noticed:

1. I used a ridiculous amount of "lol"s. I still use a lot but I'm trying to tone it down. I'm actually editing some old posts to delete the excessive LOLs!

2. I used to talked about school a lot - why?!? I've avoided this topic on my blog for the most recent semesters. I guess in first year, I was more focused on school whereas in 2nd/3rd year I was happily focused on Pravda nights. :)

3. I used to get a lot of blog comments from high school friends..of course in first year university I still kept in touch with them. Now I don't talk to/see them anymore & haven't done so in years. I went through that phase a couple summers ago when I pretty much met everyone from my building & mostly hung out with them..

4. I used to write A LOT. Now when I blog, usually it's just a few sentences for photo captions. Before, I'd write all about my day and random thoughts, etc..I think the main reason is because I have a lot more readers now. Back then the only readers I got were people I personally knew. Now I barely know who reads my blog (yet I do get a lot of readers) so I don't write as much anymore.

5. I feel like a TOTALLY different person now than when I was 2 years ago. Of course, everyone changes over time but I feel like I changed a LOT.

Enough about my past life for now..here's a few crap-quality phone pics:

A few nights ago my friend brought me to his dad's place in the city - the penthouse of a building in Toronto (I won't reveal which for privacy reasons) Apparently right before his dad got it, Harrison Ford lived there!

Here's an attempted shot of the bathtub. It was right beside a huge window..I couldn't find the lights so it's a dark shot. =\ It was a really cool place..even had its own wine cellar. & steam room/sauna.

view

view to the lake (it's on the left)

then we came back home to find Partylicious going on at Jump ! It's their annual charity event so we decided to check it out. It's literally right beside my building..located in our courtyard/fountain. I loved the music they had that night..when I looked at the DJ I saw it's one of the Pravda ones hahah. Figures.

I wish they had this more often! Loved being able to stagger home in a matter of seconds

.523 - Kusmi Tea + Total Recall

2011-08-13T02:27:00.004-04:00

Kusmi Tea!! yes I can get very excited over tea, as long as it's in nice packaging. But mainly for the fact that it's originally from St. Petersburg & established in Paris..for those of you who know me well, you'd know these are 2 of my favourite cities!! I plan to have a whole collection of these teas (even if I don't drink them) because I love the tin cans sooo much. There's one that's a larger size with a matryoshka on it..I'll probably get that next. Just wish they weren't so expensive =\

Today I got the Anastasia tea. It smells AMAZING. Exactly like the scented oils I used in my baths before. I'm not sure if I'll like the taste because I normally go for green tea.
So the Anastasia is: Blend of Chinese and Ceylon black teas flavored with natural essences of bergamot, lemon, and orange blossom.

This historic Kusmi Tea blend is a tribute to the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, who mysteriously disappeared in 1918 after the fall of the Russian royal family. Viatcheslav Kousmichoff, the son of the founder, created this blend during his time in London, shortly after the disappearance of the princess.

This limited edition is available until dec. 31.

I went on a tea spree the past few days. Got a few different green teas, darjeeling, & of course the Kusmi is the nicest one. I'm always so lazy to make my own though..whenever I buy new tea I end up just going to get one at Starbucks instead. Alright enough about tea. Here's some other random photos found on my camera:

The filming of Total Recall! It was a huge set. They filmed it pretty much the entire day..right beside my building.

Zooming in on the cars..

.522 - "life always gives you another chance"

2011-08-10T01:53:00.004-04:00

I'm still a bit behind on my blog, so here's some of the random photos I found on my phone over the past couple weeks.

Top my mom got for me from when she went to Hong Kong a few months ago.

At the fountain behind my building/the courtyard/Commerce Court.

On the way to the islands a few weeks ago.

The best part was the boat ride back. I love the view! I went there during the night time & it was totally creepy..didn't realize the island would be so dark and deserted at night!! I went at like 9pm & didn't realize all the shops there would be closed already.

Starting to wear polos again...I used to wear them all the time but then stopped for a few years.

Wisdom exhibit at Brookfield Place

Against the Grain patio! That was the first time I ever been to that place. It's located on the "other side" of the harbourfront..aka the side that not a lot of people go to. lol well I never been there before since it's usually deserted and surrounded by factories. This "homemade" ice cream was good though.

& a much more familiar place - Pravda !

Brassaii!

& no week would be complete without at least 3 visits to Spice Route! ;] Well last week I actually went there for dinner with my dad and sister. I've been there about a million times but never had the food there (besides dessert). It was pretty good..I'd probably eat there again.

I wanted to get decent photos of the food and everything but totally forgot to bring my camera :( & since it's so dark there it's nearly impossible to get good pics with the horrible Blackberry camera so here's two that came out.
This was the naan + dips..one of our appetizers. It was really good with the curry dip.

the Soy Ginger Glazed Salmon with Shanghai Rice Cakes. I really liked this one - I usually don't eat seafood but I'm starting to like salmon a lot..especially smoked salmon.
I forgot what other food we got, but for dessert we had those dragon rolls (which I ALWAYS get), & tempura banana. The tempura banana was delicious.

Anyways, onto a much more depressing topic - my summer just FLEW by :( I can't believe school is starting again in just under a month!!!! I'll be going into my final year of university..I'm excited and nervous at the same time, mainly because I don't really know what I want to do immediately after graduation. I talked about this a long time ago but I regret studying fashion, since there's no dream career I want in this industry. I actually do have a dream career now..well nothing specific, but I know the company I want to work for. Even more than LVMH. I think I'll try to get an internship with them first then reveal what it is..
Life seems like it's going by very fast as well. It's like I'm entering a new stage..

.521 - Louis Vuitton Bleu Infini Alma MM + Givre Alma

2011-08-04T00:23:00.013-04:00

If you have me on FB/Twitter you probably seen this already but here's what I got a couple days ago..

Huge boxes/bags from LV..struggled to carry it home! Twice! lol

Alma MM in bleu infini!!!! It looks very dark in these pictures but in broad daylight it's a navy bue. Very gorgeous..I love it so much!! I went to Holt Renfrew a few weeks ago with my mom to look at handbags (for her). I hadn't even planned to buy this at first. I just asked to see it and I pretty much fell in love with it immediately when I held it. Then I heard rumours about Louis Vuitton increasing their prices, yet again, sometime in August.. so I decided to buy it before they do it. Oh AND for the fact that this colour might be discontinued soon. (There are only 3 left in Toronto!)

I love the lock on this. It feels different than the lock they use on my Speedy..like made from a different metal?

& this was what I ORIGINALLY bought. This is the vernis givre colour, which just came out on August 1st. I really liked it when I saw it in photos so I chose this over the bleu infini when I went in on monday. I also bought it in the smaller size. I wasn't that excited when I brought it home..& that's how I knew I should've gotten the bleu infini colour instead, and in the larger size. It actually stressed me out all day so the next morning (I only wake up early when LV is involved!) I went back to exchange it for the bleu infini, MM size.

The colour is nice but 90% of my wardrobe is black and givre doesn't match that nicely to black. My LVOE bandeau looks good on it though lol

Now it's time to start staying in more often/eating at home/sleeping earlier/SAVING UP..as my bank account is on its deathbed. Sleeping earlier won't help me save up but it fits into the category of things I should start doing more often.

ok so my previous sentence is a bit contradictory because last night I went out to the Thompson Hotel rooftop lounge !

Amazing view. Totally forgot to take pictures of their pool up there..I might have some on my phone which I'll upload next time. So anyways, this might've been the last time I go out for awhile! Actually that might not be possible but I should cut down. Meaning instead of going to Spice Route/Brassaii/Pravda 6 nights a week it will only be 4 nights on weekdays! lol. Seriously though, I need to start saving again (for that Birkin........)

.520 - saxobeat

2011-08-02T04:45:00.004-04:00

Today I finally went to buy my Alma bag in vernis..I got the givre, which came out today, but now I've decided to go back tomorrow and exchange it for bleu infini in the larger size. That was the one I originally REALLY loved. Givre was just impulsive and I realize now that it's too hard to match to my wardrobe. I took a ton of photos of it but I'll post it all in the next post together with the bleu infini when I get it.

Huge box!

A couple weeks ago I met the "blue men" of the Blue Man Group. Their show was in Toronto for like 10 days & they all stayed at my hotel/building.

Went to Pravda with them one night...

Thursday = Blowfish nights! Here's what my friend & I ordered:

Coconut Bay - coconut battered shrimp, cucumber, frizee, spicy kewpie.
I decided to try something different. It was alright..I found it a bit too dry. Very coconut-y.

Orange & Black - salmon, mango, avocado, orange & black tobiko, yuzu drizzle.
This one was very good! I loved it..like a "dessert sushi" as I call it.

Okinawan (bottom) - deep fried sweet potato wrap, banana, avocado, mango-kewpie coulis. I order this every time I come here. It's my favourite - also a "dessert sushi" I'm craving it right now..

Rainbow Flame (top) - I can't find what was in this..I remember there was a lot in it. Not too bad but not one of my favourites.

.519 - The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

2011-07-31T04:34:00.007-04:00

Very behind on my blog once again. I've had such an exhausting week..literally haven't gone to bed before 6am in THE longest time. Feel like I've said this many times before..but it's really true. I need to stop going out every night. I seriously think I have a problem..because I've been telling myself to stay in for even one night, and it hasn't happened for weeks. I've gone everywhere this week: Pravda, Brassaii, Spice Route, Blowfish, Irish Embassy, Watermark, Against the Grain, Spice Route, Pravda, Spice Route, Pravda, Spice Route..etc.

So I also been going to the Ritz Carlton a lot. Their residences to be more exact. I checked out a lot of the units still under construction and took a lot of pics:

This was taken on the balcony at the very top floor/master penthouse. Apparently it's 25000 sq feet. Ridiculously huge and expensive (I was told it will be for $38 million when the owner decides to sell it). If given the choice I'd rather take the penthouse in my building though - it's way nicer (& for a mere $4 million unfurnished - look at previous post for pics) plus the location is a lot better. The Ritz's penthouse is just very big..nothing spectacular about the view/layout/shape of it. Or I would take a suite at the Shangri-La, which I think I'll like way more than the Ritz. It's the one still under construction on the left side..with pink at the top.

The residents' patio

This was another suite at the Ritz, with a private elevator. The only thing I liked about the units here were their HUGE living rooms and floor to ceiling windows. Once you get out of the private elevator it's a large open area in front. Well, some of the floorplans were like this. Overall I didn't like many of their layouts.

Kitchen - I like the white cabinets

The view to the CN Tower & Skydome..

& finally some pics of my very happy dog:

Expect more picspams to come in the next few days!

.518 - givre

2011-07-21T05:22:00.005-04:00

Photos on my phone all taken from yesterday..starting with a morning going around Yorkville.

Of course I stopped by LV to look at the vernis Almas again. I like the bleu infini colour but I can't say I LOVE it..I still think it's a bit too dark. :( But now I've decided I'm most likely going to go with the new Givre colour, which should be coming out in August. I really really hope I like it when I see it. The SA showed me a pic & it looks very beautiful. There better not be another price increase in August though! I'm hearing rumours everywhere that there will be..but when I asked the SAs none of them knew anything about it. They usually don't know too much anyways lol.

I love these men's shoes..I need a boy to shop for!

Very happy that my new business cards have arrived!! This time I only got 3 different designs instead of the previous batch when I got like 7. People usually like the fleur de lis one the most..

My building's penthouses are still for sale! There's still 3 available. I want to live in one badly. When I was up there I thought about how Suits filmed an episode there lol.

This is the one I want..I always need a south view.

The entrance..facing east. Amazing wall of windows.

I really love my building - if I ever have to move, I think the only place I'd actually want to move to is up to the penthouse lol. Hopefully by the time I can afford it, it'll still be available? Even though I really like some of the new buildings going up (Shangri La, Ritz Carlton..) the best location in Toronto will ALWAYS be here.

I loooove the washrooms.

& dinner at Blowfish!

I love the Okinawan - what I refer to as the "dessert sushi"

Finally the nightly harbourfront stroll with Hennessy..they were playing Paris, Je T'aime last night!

.517 - boi dudz

2011-07-19T03:29:00.004-04:00

A couple days ago, I woke up to find my newest/current favourite pair of shoes completely destroyed, thanks to Hennessy (pair on the right). Immediately I went to my laptop to re-order another pair...I was so mad but looking on the bright side, at least they were still in stock.

dinner @ Beer Bistro
Life is going by SO fast these days. I can't even keep track of days anymore. Sometimes when I look back on these pictures I've taken merely a few days ago, I'm always suprised that they're so recent. I do/go so many places every night that some things that happened a few nights ago will feel like weeks ago..(if that makes sense?)
I also realized I don't take nearly as many pictures as I used to...I remember back then I took a pic of literally every place I went to. Now I usually don't remember to..but here's some pictures on my phone from the past week:

Spice Route

O&B patio on a thursday..love it

& of course I've been going to the harbourfront a lot with Hennessy. I really love it there during the summer (even though I wish the weather was a bit cooler) - it's always full of tourists..& I've met so many people down there. Especially dog owners hahah.

This was tonight - my friend from Montreal is in Toronto for a couple days. We went to Canoe for dinner..well he ate & I just drank. In case that makes me sound like an alcoholic, I should clarify it was just one drink. I'm also disappointed that they don't have Hpnotiq anymore. & a few other things on their menu has changed since the renovations..I still love this place though. I need to come here more often!

Then as we walked on the street we walked past some trailers..I look to see "MIKE ROSS" & got extremely excited!! It was the staging area for that show Suits. I've seen them film a lot of scenes around my area & even in my building a couple times (in my ballroom and penthouse) but I've only recently started getting more addicted to the show. One of the set guys walked by..I don't even remember what I said to him but I acted like a total fangirl.

Then we ended up at Earls - a fairly new place by my area. I've always wanted to check it out & they recently added a patio. It's nice there I liked it.

& finally the Ritz Carlton! Unfortunately their bars were already closing when we got there so we didn't really stay. This was actually my first time coming here since they opened (in Feb?) It didn't impress me THAT much..I mean I thought the lobby would be nicer and bigger. But it's not too bad. Pretty good for a Toronto hotel.

.516 - sapporo

2011-07-09T15:05:00.005-04:00

It's been quite an interesting week..lately it's been feeling like my life changes from week to week. Every week is so different, always with new people. & I learned a really important lesson this week..something I never knew would happen to me but it did and hit me hard.

Finally got my hair colour melted yesterday! It looks different in person though - there's a lot more blonde. I like it but still have to get used to it.

After spending about an hour trying to decide on where to go for dinner..my friend & I ended up at Le St. Tropez. This was the view across the street of Bell Lightbox.

At my friend's birthday party..the view from his patio. So that was honestly like my first house party, ever.

There was this area with fake grass on the patio..spent some time lying out here. I love it. Wish my building had something like this..

.515 - MoRoCo Chocolat

2011-07-06T02:57:00.005-04:00

Last week I met up with a friend to go to MoRoCo! I love the decor at this place. The previous time I came here with her was like two years ago ..wow that's such an old blog entry.

I really liked their patio. All the furniture/decor was white and felt like Alice in Wonderland.

I had their sweet crepes..actually did not like this at ALL =\ it had yogurt inside, which I didn't know..and I really hate yogurt. Plus it was way too sweet. Should've just stuck with the smores that we got last time.

& my friend got this..sorbet or something. It's pretty cool how they did it. The sorbet was inside this ball of chocolate..which melted away a hole when you poured hot melted chocolate over it.

Truffles at their boutique. They also have macarons here but I still think Petite Thuet's is the best I've had in Toronto.

Perfect gifts for Veuve Clicquot lovers. I actually try to stay away from Veuve Clicquot because the one and only time I had it, I felt really sick afterwards. Now that I think about it the only other champagne I've had are Cristal & Dom Perignon. Ahh those Pravda nights..reading back on my old blog entries are fun. Can't believe I used to go there so often back then: 1, 2, 3. It makes me laugh how I used to blog about going out to Pravda on a school night then at the bottom of the posts I'd have a paragraph stressing about school.

So the day after that, I met my mom and my sister for lunch at Yorkville..saw this beautiful white Bentley drive by as we were on the patio.

Then we went to Holt Renfrew as my mom wanted to look at handbags, and I wanted to pick out the next bag on my wishlist. I think I'm gonna get the LV Alma..the one in this picture is the PM. I tried it and felt it was a bit too small so I'll probably go for the bigger size (hate how it's so much more expensive though! ugh). & it's really dark in this picture but it is the Bleu Infini colour which is navy blue. I like it in bright lighting..it's gorgeous. I wish it was a bit lighter but I still think I might get it. Just want to wait until the new colour comes out in August so I can decide whether or not I want that instead (apparently it is a colour called Givre - a pale shade of blue/icy blue, according to the Customer Support people. SAs know nothing in stores if you ask) Hopefully the Bleu Infini will still be available after the new colour is introduced though.

Evening strolls by the harbour as always..

Met a 905-er down there who's a graphic designer with an even cooler business card than mine (it's metal) ! We went to O&B then Spice Route that night. For those who aren't from Toronto/not familiar with the term...905-ers are those from outside the downtown area. Their special trait is that they only come out on weekends. Friday and saturday nights are the 905er nights..that's why I prefer going out during the week because those 905er nights are too packedddd. Weekday evenings they usually have an early curfew in order to get home and wake up early for work the next morning. ;] I used to be a 905-er! Do not miss those days at all..

.514 - Part II

2011-07-05T02:22:00.004-04:00

Part 2 of the pictures on my phone taken from last week..

Now that the weather has gotten nicer (well, somewhat) I've been going to the harbour like practically every night with Hennessy. I love it there. It's always busy and there's always events going on. Met quite a few people including all these dog owners & a 905-er (more on this in my next post lol)

Spice Route - Pretty sure I was here at least 4 nights of the past 7 days!! & it's not like I plan my nights..I just happen to end up there all the time.

Hpnotiq & Dragon Rolls..I had them last year (& took way better pictures last time - click that link!) and loved them. But when I had them the other night I didn't like them at all =\ I think they changed it a bit. They tasted way too sweet.

So IIFA took place in Toronto this year. I don't even know any Bollywood stars or had much interest in this event, but I wanted to go to the Royal York bar that night where the celebs all happened to be staying at. My friend & I went to EPIC , and conveniently sat next to a bunch of very famous celebs. I have no idea who they were but soooo many people kept walking by outside and snapping pics of them and waving! I'm pretty sure I got in all their paparazzi pics hahah. It was fun. There were also bodyguards next to us the entire time.

Here's MY paparazzi shot of them - anyone know who they are?!

I got dessert - their apple crumble which tasted really bad too (this post seems to be full of bad reviews). A bit disappointing because everything else I've ever had at this place in the past were amazing!

Walking around the city..Dundas Square.

My building's ballroom

Harbourfront..

For my work I have to go to different buildings. I got an assignment on a new building the other day and on my first day there..as I got in the elevator I run into a guy who used to live in my building! hahah..I really have gotten to the point of running into someone I know at every place I go to. He invited me to his place after I was done. His view is amazing!!!! Of course this picture doesn't do it justice..but his balcony was very big with a full unobstructed view of the CN Tower.

.513 - ich liebe dich

2011-07-02T04:26:00.005-04:00

I'm about a week and a half behind on my blog. Usually if I haven't been updating much it either means that I have nothing going on in my life worth mentioning or way too much going on. Lately I've been going out ~~way too much~~ a lot and just enjoying my summer. For the past two weeks I've been out literally every single night - coming back past 3am & sleeping when the sun comes up. That's why I haven't had much time to update..plus I don't take nearly as many pictures as I used to. It's mainly been Brassaii, Spice Route, Brassaii, Pravda, Spice Route, etc..
Right now it's 4:30am & I really have been trying hard to go to bed before 6 one of these days. So here are some photos from last week (this week's will come in my next post)

My new favourite restaurant, BLOWFISH! As a lot of you know, when I find something new that I like, I become obsessed with it. & I really love Blowfish. If I can find someone to come here with me everyday I would. I was invited to an event they had last week..lots of saketinis and makimonos for sampling. We got there kind of late so we only got to try one of each. The makimono was so good we decided to sit down for dinner. I have pictures of the food I got on my Facebook but I'm not gonna post them here because the pictures came out too dark. I ordered 6 pieces of Okinawan (deep fried sweet potato wrap, banana, avocado, mango-kewpie coulis) and 6 pieces of Chicken Kara-age (lightly battered chicken breast, avocado, lettuce, red tobiko,
mango, strawberry kewpie). Both were AMAZING. When I go out for Japanese food I usually just order kappa maki (cucumber sushi) but I wanted to try EVERY single makimono they had, because it all sounded so good (& it was!) Their edamame was also pretty good. I will definately be coming back here more often..I really want to try everything on their menu, plus every sake and saketini they have. PS - the service could've been better though

Then a friend of mine from Germany came to Toronto to visit for a few days! The first evening I brought him to O&B . This is the view from their patio to my building (the skinny/flat/white one on the right)

We just had drinks, edamame (yes I have an addition) & sweet potato fries which all tasted much better than when I had them last time. Plus the service is really good here.

After that we went to the harbourfront for a midnight stroll. I love summer nights down by the harbour. I've been going there practically everyday lately with Hennessy.

The next day going around Yorkville..we went to the Hyatt Hotel's rooftop lounge. I really love this place..I can't believe I've only been here once (or twice?) before. But I definately need to go back more often...again, if I can find someone to come everyday with me I would hahah. It has such a nice view/atmosphere.

& amazing tapas!!

My blog seems to be slowwwwly turning into a food/lounges/restaurants blog..

.512 - The Courvoisier Collective

2011-06-28T14:58:00.005-04:00

I received a package in the mail a few days ago for the Courvoisier Collective. It's an initiative aimed to provide artists with space for displaying their work and gain exposure to some of the most respected members of Toronto's art community.

They're looking for submissions of artwork reinventing the revolutionary power of art/exploring the theme of Renewal. The only requirement is that your contribution contain revolutionary thinking towards the medium, aesthetics, or presentation and rediscover the art's potential to challenge the status quo and change the way we perceive the world. Submitted artwork can use media such as photography, painting, mixed media and printmaking. Submission can be made by uploading an image in digital JPG, GIF, TIF or PNG format.

Chosen works will be displayed on billboards in areas around Toronto. They will be reviewed by a jury and the selected works will be displayed at Gallery 1313 from August 10 to September 4, 2011.

Key Dates:

July 8 - Deadline for submissions in order to be considered for Billboard Showcase and prizing
July 15 - Deadline for Gallery Award submissions. Submissions chosen by the public and judging panel will be included in an exhibit at Gallery 1313.
July 15 to August 5 - Online public voting for the Gallery Award submissions
August 1 to 26 - Three winning Billboard showcase submissions displayed on high traffic Toronto billboards
August 5 to 8 - Gallery Award winners selected for display at Gallery 1313
August 11 to September 4 - Gallery Award Exhibition at Gallery 1313

Good luck!

.511 - peppermint

2011-06-24T04:18:00.004-04:00

The past week has gone by in SUCH a blur. I can't even remember the last night I've stayed in..or the last time I went to bed before 5am actually =\ My friend from Germany is coming over tomorrow for a few days so it looks like another busy week coming up!

It's now 4:30am & I'm here updating my blog again, after a night at Blowfish (lovelovelove their makimonos) and Pravda. Will talk more about that in my next post.

My mom got me these fringe shorts from her trip to Hong Kong last month.

My beach attire for this summer..even though I barely go to the beach.

I'm going to Bier Markt so often these days - mainly because their patio seems to always be busy, like everyday of the week and at all times of the day.

Tuesday night - a very fun spontaneous night, starting off at O&B. Spontaneous nights are always the best nights. Actually it started off a few hours before this, where I met my friend at a Second Cup. We then went over to Irish Embassy, then here to O&B for a few hours...

After O&B we went to Century Room. Apparently two really famous Indian celebs were there..Zayed Khan and Ritesh Deshmukh (?) I wouldn't have known who they were if my friend didn't tell me. After that we went over to The Thompson Hotel for some late night food. I ordered the poutine..did not like it AT ALL. Came home after that..ended up sleeping at 7am that day.

You probably noticed I never really give details on this blog hahah, so if you want details, head over to my private blog (if you have access). Actually I just updated it a bit..I'll write more next time (I know I always say this but I rarely do..)

Last weekend - Medieval Times! Haven't been here since I was in grade 5

.510 - sheva

2011-06-19T04:17:00.005-04:00

Fruli at Bier Markt yesterday..

Once again I'm getting really lazy with my blog. Actually I haven't had much time to update it..and don't really have that many pictures. All I've been doing these days is working and going out pretty much every night. Work doesn't really seem like work for me so I'm still enjoying it. Now that I think about it I've been working every single day/7 days a week. But I only work for about 4-5 hours per day so it's not too bad. I kind of do miss doing whatever I want during the days though.

This is what I would normally write in my private blog..but it's 5am and I don't want to create a whole other entry there. I'm not even sure what I'm about to write will make sense to any of you because I'm pretty tired right now and thinking too much. Anyways.
I've been thinking alot about life lately (as always) - the period I'm going through right now in my life is one of those I'll most likely remember for the rest of my life & I'll definately miss it when it's over. It consists of a few different groups of unrelated people/things/places/etc all happening at the same time. I live life pretty fast so this phase will probably be over just as summer ends.
I've only had these types of "periods" in life twice before. So the first time, it lasted for months & months. I didn't want it to end but it did. Actually I never expected it to end..like it felt like things would never change. Sometimes it still feels pretty weird that I'm not living in that life anymore. The second time, I took things for granted as well..but I was more prepared when it ended. During that time I was mostly deluded/infatuated/not thinking much/tipsy/drunk? Everything that happened was a learning experience though. & THIS time we'll see what happens. Kind of feel like I'm in a movie at times. I met SO many interesting people this week.

I really don't update my blogs that much, especially about personal stuff (even in my private blog). I probably just post about 10% of everything. I'm mainly just too lazy to write out all the backstories and explain who's who, etc...

ok this entry is taking me way too long to write. It's officially 5am so I'll elaborate more tomorrow in my private blog. Maybe.

Watching the Stanley Cup final a few nights ago: Vancouver losing to Boston. I watched the game inside actually..just took this pic when I went outside for some fresh air since it was ridiculously packed inside.

Hazelnut and Pecan tarts from Brick Street Bakery - sooooo good! My new obsession/food phase! I don't go a day without having at least two. I can't wait to try everything else they have there..

Stuff I got for Hennessy from Woofstock - day 1 & day 2. Lots of treats, yogurt, and antler bones! yes they're real deer antlers.

.509 - habana

2011-06-14T15:36:00.003-04:00

Pictures from my phone taken the past few days..
Last night I went to Real Sports Bar with a friend from my building to watch the hockey game: game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals/Vancouver Canucks vs. Boston Bruins. I'm not really a huge fan but I want the Canucks to win just because they're a Canadian team..but they lost last night. We'll see what happens in game 7 tomorrow. I'll most likely be going there to watch it again. As expected, it was ridiculously packed there last night. Apparently if you wanted to book a table, you were supposed to do it three weeks ago =\ Luckily we got good bar seats last night.

After the game we went to Irish Embassy for food then back to our building..I tried smoking a cigar for the first time in my life. My friend has a collection of pretty nice ones..

On the weekend I went to Woofstock! They have this every year, like a block away from my building and of course this was the first year I actually had a reason (aka a dog) to go! It was a lot of fun & Hennessy was really really really excited. He always loves seeing dogs on the street and this time it was like hundreds of dogs everywhere. & free treats at every stall.

The view from there...my building is on the right (the flat oval shaped one)

Then I went to Hiro Sushi with my mom for some food..

At night, my friend & I went to Kultura for this thing called the Toronto Image Awards. To be honest I still don't know exactly how to explain what it is. It's some sort of photoshoot competition. It was ok..met a couple people.

& another Hpnotiq to end this post

.508 - toxic

2011-06-10T00:57:00.008-04:00

Brookfield Place..the building I come to most often, meaning multiple times on a daily basis. I always love when they have new art installations.

The past week has mainly been about work for me, even though I don't even work that much. I love being able to work my own hours, but one bad part about this is that sometimes I forget that it's an actual job that I need to spend a decent amount of hours on per day/week. I really like it so far though. But I'm pretty notorious for getting bored of all my past internships/job after the first month. HOPEFULLY this time it will be different (I say this all the time). It is stressful at times but fun as well because I can meet a lot of people..like yesterday I spent an hour chatting with a concierge from a condo building. He's sooo nice..I'll probably return there to talk to him from time to time, even after my assignment there is finished hahah.

Pictures of what else I've been doing during the week:

Brassaii one night last week...I've officially lost count of how many times I've been here this month.

AME - first time at this place..we came at the end so didn't stay here that long but I love it!! Will definately come back. The decor inside is really nice & I especially love the high ceilings..

The beginning of a storm..took Hennessy out on my building's patio just in case it started pouring at any moment. Saw my friend meditating on his balcony. Then he opened his eyes and saw me standing there waving hahah. Probably traumatized him. We attempted to yell to each other but I couldn't hear a thing because it was so loud there. Then suddenly I heard someone else call my name..turned out to be my other friend who lived a few floors higher. Funniest thing ever.

At O&B - met a guy by the harbour on the weekend and came here for drinks with him on monday. I love random acquaintances..which I seem to have a lot of lol.

Brassaii again yesterday..it really is a lot better here on wednesday nights! I love it.

.507 - golden triangle

2011-06-04T20:52:00.004-04:00

My mom got back from her trip to HK a couple days ago..yesterday I went to see her to pick up the stuff she bought for me there :D Got some new clothes..including this feather thing. I love it so much! Horrible pic but I'll take more next time.

Good morning!

My friend's tailor dropped by the other day & I went to go help him choose fabrics for his new tailored suits. So much fun! I love menswear/dressing men. Especially pocket-squared men.

Then we went to Nami for dinner. I haven't been to this place in forever!

Then Hot House Cafe for dessert. I walk by this place ALL THE TIME but never thought about actually going in before. Definately will return because that was the best apple pecan tart I've ever had. I also tried a bit of my friend's carrot cake which was also amazing.

Crepes for dinner at Marche..

Watermark for a drink with a guy I met during my training day..so yes, I have a job now. I actually really like it because it's the most flexible job ever, and I mainly work from home. Plus it's a government job! So it'll be good on my resume..if you're curious, ask me privately what it is.

Frans with my friend the night before. Had the biggest & most disgusting poutine I've ever eaten. But I liked their patio.

.505 - caviarmaki

2011-05-29T01:19:00.006-04:00

My sister went to Las Vegas a few weeks ago & brought me back some souvenirs..

Shot glass

Spice Route is definately the "new Pravda" ..as with everything in life, when I have a new obsession I would go/eat/listen (ie. Americano song)/do it excessively until I get bored of it. I seem to be at Spice Route and/or Brassaii every couple nights now. & I haven't been to Pravda in a month already? when I used to be there at least once or twice a week.

Stairs from the path to my lobby..

South of Temperance last night. I met up with my next door neighbour who I haven't seen in like 2 years. He used to live beside me at 1KW then left the country for awhile and now he's back!
I've only been to South of Temperance once last summer - I think their patio is the best thing about it. But even so, I don't get all the hype about this place. There's much nicer patios around..

I redid my previous Russian Caviar blog! Click the image above to go there. I got a new domain name for it, Caviarmaki, which means caviar sushi lol. I wanted Kappamaki but unfortunately that was taken. I changed the layout a bit too..and added a better archives page. Hopefully I'll update it more from now on.

.504 - Victoria Day Weekend

2011-05-23T22:35:00.004-04:00

Here's what I did for my May 2-4 long weekend..on saturday I went to High Park with my dad & Hennessy. It was such a nice day with perfect weather. I don't even remember the last time I've been here. I think it was over 10 years ago actually since I don't remember a thing about it.

Then we went to Bier Markt for dinner on their patio!

Manneken Pis!

Last night we went to Spice Route . It was pretty busy for a sunday night, I guess due the fact that it was a long weekend.

I was with about 5 other people and we sat in this room..I don't know if it is but I call it the VIP room lol. It was so nice in there..

Then back home I went up to my friend's room, who also lives in my building, to drink for awhile. Ended up back at my place around 5am? I didn't even drink that much but a few hours after I slept I started feeling really sick and nauseous =\ I'm actually still recovering. I don't even know what happened because I've never gotten this sick before..and it wasn't like I drank a lot last night.

Strawberry waffles and crepes from Marche = my usual dinners these past couple weeks.

.503 - once you have a fish on the line you reel it in and you cook it

2011-05-21T12:24:00.003-04:00

I know the CN Tower looks like its been horribly photoshopped in but it's just because my phone camera sucks.
Yesterday was such a beautiful day. Perfect weather which was a nice change from the non-stop rain we've been getting all week. After an evening stroll with Hennessy I went back out to meet my friend at....

Brassaii! I seem to be coming here more and more lately.

After that we went over to Cobra. It's a popular place but I didn't like it so much - usually I like places more for their decor/design inside rather than the crowd that goes there. Cobra was in a basement..I didn't think there was anything that special about it.

Some more pictures taken from my phone over the past couple days..

The courtyard behind my building.

Hennessy standing up to watch as the men in suits walked by.

Crepes a GoGo ! The Crepe Tartinade..which was like Nutella + strawberries

George Clooney in my lobby!

My lobby

.502 - Onanong Swimwear

2011-05-19T22:49:00.010-04:00

Looking for the perfect swimsuit this season? Check out Onanong Swimwear!
Onanong (meaning "beautiful" in Thai) is a new swimwear line that combines the carefree beach attitude with city sophistication.

Oni Souratha, the designer.

.501 - 13 hours of lounge-hopping

2011-05-15T00:15:00.006-04:00

Pictures from my day of lounge-hopping on thursday..I didn't get a few of the places because my Blackberry's camera sucks. Next time I should bring an actual camera.

First we were gonna go to the Thompson Hotel's rooftop patio but didn't end up getting up there so we walked along King St and ended up at Spice Route - well we were there a bit too early as you can see..so we left and went to Brassaii !

Brenton

As we left Brassaii it started raining. Since I'm so high maintenence I asked my friend to go back home for his umbrella while I waited in LCBO lol. All this Fruli made me very happy..

Next stop: Rosewater Supper Club .

A couple hours later (we took a short break) we went to Stirling Room. It was my first time at this place. The decoration in there was pretty cool..we came around 7pm, it was kind of dead here. Actually, completely dead. But we mainly came to meet some people

After Stirling Room, we went back to the other side of the city..went to a place called Cameron House but didn't stay because they didn't serve food! So we left and went to Rivoli to eat - biggest ripoff ever!!!! Never eating here again. Trust me..not worth it. Plus they don't even have servers.

Back on King Street West..back to Brassaii! We love this place

Then back to Spice Route! We went on the patio this time.

The "firking fire" - Spice Route is officially my new summer spot. It might just be the new Pravda..

But of course..no night is really complete without a final stop at Pravda hahah. I was so tired at this point.

Overall, it was a fun day/night - looking forward to more of these days during the summer!!! Next time we should just walk down the street and stop at every place along the way. Or maybe a patio-hop..

.500 - Nally & Millie

2011-05-13T20:31:00.007-04:00

This is the Nally & Millie top I received a couple days ago (thank you!). I really love it! It's very comfortable and perfect for summer - the material is really lightweight and soft. Easy to match with a lot of other things as well. If you're interested in purchasing from the brand, it can be found at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Von Maur and Searle stores. From what I've seen so far from their collections, all their clothing is great for summer!

I love the sleeves on this. Perfect amount of sheerness.

Worn tucked in on one side.

This has been a really good week. Yesterday I started out at 1pm and went from bar to bar, lounge to lounge with my friend..in the end we probably went to about 10 different places..more than once to a few as well hahah. So much fun. As usual..final stop at Pravda and came home a bit past 2am. Pictures to come next post!
Now I'm forcing myself to stay in this weekend - friday and saturday nights are overrated anyways. & plus, it's mainly for the out of towners/suburbians. ;]

.499 - ceci n'est pas une pipe

2011-05-09T21:19:00.004-04:00

Finished another page in my Moleskine!

Finally got some new bowls for Hennessy! I've been trying to find some nice ones for a long time and found these today. They come in stainless steel as well, which I like more but those are way more expensive =\ like $100+ each. Plus I can't find them in any stores here..

There's been renovations at my building for the past couple months - here's how it looks so far. Not much has changed actually..mainly the lighting is different, and the walls.

Yesterday I went with Hennessy to visit my dad in Thornhill..I took him for a walk to this forest I used to go to all the time back when I lived with my parents. It was Hennessy's first time walking around in the suburbs/out in nature - in a normal dog environment! lol. Mainly it's only been the financial district/the underground path/harbourfront..

We met a forest creature..

Went to Yorkville today to visit my sister. We've had such beautiful

.498 - baltika

2011-05-05T23:02:00.006-04:00

Besides spending hours in cafes drawing in my Moleskine (& at night doing the same while re-watching all the seasons/episodes of Las Vegas), here's some pictures of what else I have been doing on the first few days of my summer vacation.

I think this was on monday..the first patio day of the season - Bier Markt!

After that we went to Irish Embassy. It was my first time there in so long (um probably a month?)- I mean last year I used to come practically everyday!

Been going to the harbourfront with Hennessy a lot as well! I love walking there on the boardwalk. A lot of people bring their dogs down there and Hennessy gets so excited..he always stands on his hind legs when he sees another dog..and he goes up to sniff each one lol. I've been meet more dog owners than I can count.

Last night - back to the Bier Markt for some drinks..

Some cool chairs at the Distillery District where I went today

The view from my friend's condo's patio!! So much nicer than my building's patio..

Hennessy in the party room..which he loved a bit too much

Patio at Fionn MacCool's after the Distillery/visiting Andrew Seal

I love the poutine at this place!

.497 - Alexander McQueen | Savage Beauty

2011-05-03T18:56:00.004-04:00

This is the book published for the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibit opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art tomorrow. Since I love/collect coffeetable books and I love Alexander McQueen, I HAD to have this. I was suprised at how fast it arrived - I ordered it on friday and it came yesterday (monday)!

The cover is the coolest thing ever. It turns from a golden skull into the face of Alexander McQueen..I attempted to take a video of it (posted on my FB) but found this video instead, which shows it much better:

& here's a few of my favourite pages from the book. I had to resist taking a picture of EVERY page lol:

Fall/Winter 1997

Fall/Winter 2001

Fall/Winter 1996

Fall/Winter 2010 (one of my favourite collections)

Fall/Winter 2010

Fall/Winter 2008 (another one of my favourite collections)

Spring/Summer 2010

.496 - royal wedding

2011-04-30T02:56:00.004-04:00

A couple hours before it began, I wasn't interested in watching the Royal Wedding at all. Then I found out Kate's gown was designed by Sarah Burton and I knew I had to watch. Plus, I've never actually seen a wedding before. It started at 3am here in Toronto..with the actual ceremony being at 6am. I immediately got sucked into it, forcing myself to stay up for all but 1 hour of sleep because I couldn't miss a minute!! Then throughout the day today I kept searching online for videos, articles, pictures, etc....such a beautiful wedding. Looooved the McQueen gown (even though it wasn't as extravagent as I thought it'd be), Kate looked amazing in it. I even wore my Union Jack tshirt today.

My new food phase....for those of you who are unfamiliar, I go through a new phase every so often where I'd eat the exact same food (in excess) literally every single day. Currently it's strawberries and pineapples.

Summer vacation has officially began for me - I am free for four months!! The past few summers this is usually what I spent my time doing..planning my days around which coffeeshops to sit at and draw. I probably should be a bit more productive this summer though. Seems like so many people are getting internships, I feel like such a slacker! BUT I recently figured out what I want to do with my life in the future (finally) so I will probably use this time to try & figure out how to go about it..

Hopefully now that it's summer, life will start getting more interesting again. If you've been following my blog for a long time you probably noticed my life/this blog wasn't how it used to be like two years ago. Part of the reason why is probably because school has been so stressful so I'm happy now that it's over! Maybe I can finally get my old life back.

Anyways I've been updating my private blog more often these days. If you're interested in reading it, just send me an email..

.495 - moussy

2011-04-23T22:39:00.006-04:00

Wrote my first of three exams this morning - I think I did pretty well on it! Never had so much info to write for exam essay questions..fortunately I was over-prepared for it. I'm actually excited to see what mark I got.

I'm sitting in my lobby right now as I write this. Just had a certain run-in & now I can't even concentrate anymore. Let me just say......looks like it'll be an awesome summer ;]

Spending way too much time here these days - "studying". Watched the final of Copa del Rey the other day - Real Madrid x Barcelona! Since I love Casillas & Xabi Alonso..I really wanted Madrid to win & they did in overtime!

Then I went to the Royal York's Library Bar with a friend..we were gonna go there to study but ended up just talking

.494 - faster than a shuttle

2011-04-17T21:30:00.002-04:00

My new favourite Starbucks - fireplace, big screen tvs, sofas..
I came here to study yesterday but instead, I decided to watch the Real Madrid x Barcelona soccer/football game from start to finish. I just love Iker Casillas & Xabi Alonso..hahah. & I realized how much I missed watching soccer!!

Today I went to the Toronto Art Expo! I've been here the previous 2 years..love it!

I really like this sculpture..& a lot of others as well but I wasn't even sure if I was allowed to take pics.

They also had these cars there. I want this one!!

Went to Real Sports Bar the other night..

The Canucks x Blackhawks game was on. Believe it or not I used to be a HUGE Leafs fan & watched the NHL religiously...but for a couple years I stopped & only been watching the international championships. Now I'm sort of starting to get back into watching the playoffs..

.493 - we gotta build our rocket stronger

2011-04-15T20:31:00.004-04:00

An assignment I handed in this week for school..we had to illustrate 3 different terms in our own ways. I actually had fun doing this because I love using Illustrator!!

Boats lined up in front of RBC

First harbourfront visit for the year (& the first for Hennessy!) We went on a semi-warm day..I can't wait to go back again.

Since the internet in my room + lobby was horrible the other day...my friend brought me up to his office in Brookfield Place to use his wireless. This is his boardroom..with perfect view of my building! (I've posted pictures before of our "waving sessions" lol) I love working up there. It's so nice and peaceful.

Looking east..

Working late into the night ;]

Marche for dinner! I tried the chicken crepe - it was actually really good! Finally found something else I like there besides the mushroom rosti

Mr. Greenjeans for lunch the other day..or I mean, meeting my friend & watching him eat his lunch. I wasn't hungry that day + I never liked the food at that place anyways

Walking with Hennessy in St. James Park..

I love how the weather is getting better and better these days! Only wish I was completely done school already..sigh..

.492 - calabria

2011-04-12T13:35:00.005-04:00

It just hit me that this is the last week of school! The past months have gone by in such a blur; project after project - I didn't even have TIME to keep track of time. Unfortunately there's still a couple things due, but the weather has been so nice lately I'm already on summer mode. Life goes by so fast. I still remember the summer when I first moved away from home in 2008. Feels like just yesterday. & I can't believe that in a year's time...I'll have graduated. Who knows where I'll be after that.

Here's a much clearer picture of the shoes I received the other day. They're the highest I own so far!! I started wearing heels in high school - I remember when I thought 3inches was very high lol. Now 4'' is considered low (or I guess normal) for me that I can literally run in them. These ones are definately over 5''. Pretty comfortable but I'm still getting used to wearing them..
I don't really want to reveal where I got them from, since they're always sold out & I want to track down the other colour as well!

His new toy - a little lamb. It might be a bit big for him hahah.

Took a trip to Thornhill on Sunday to visit my parents.

My dad recently came back on a trip to Asia ( which I unfortunately could not go :( )- I guess he got these from there..

Fashion application project for school..

.491 - when you run come around cause I know you're the talk of the town

2011-04-10T01:08:00.007-04:00

My personal life was put on hold the past week thanks to the fashion show my school put on this past thursday and friday. For the whole week, I was at school from 8am to at least 10pm every single day. I'm still not sure how I was able to survive but I'm so glad it's over. It definately was an experience I'll always remember...after all that stress and physical labour in heels for like 14 hours everyday, I feel like I can do anything lol. Slowly healing, but normal life is quickly resuming.

New shoes! This is a horrible picture..I'll take more later on, but the material for the bottom, heel and cream parts are faux snakeskin. I just got them today but I actually ordered them at the beginning of the week, impulsively (monday morning in class using the internet on my iPod! hahah), so I'd have something to look forward to after death week was over. Well it was partly a present from my dad. FedEx came to my building twice during the days but since I was never home, I wasn't able to get them until today (when I actually had to go there to pick them up myself). I walked with Hennessy there to get them..the weather was PERFECT today.

My weekly lunch with my mom..last week we went to Crepes a GoGo - it was my first time there but I'm so glad I found it! I really love it..will definately be coming here regularly! Can't wait to try their dessert crepes.

I loooooved the decor in there. Their walls were fully decorated with French/Paris things.

& it was like a kitchen in there..

Brassaii last weekend..love this place! Great music

The Louboutins I drew on Illustrator for my Fashion Application project..

Being gone all day = 2am walks with Hennessy

.490 - easy now no need fi go down

2011-04-01T02:55:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the lack of updates lately (I know I keep saying this) - I've literally had no time!!! I try to keep my school and personal life COMPLETELY separate though. So as stressful as school is right now, some things in my personal life are balancing it out..

I NEED THAT BUST! I've been looking for a nice one for a long time..but this one is way too big =\ I mean it would be good for an actual house..or loft..but it would just look ridiculous on my washroom counter (where I was planning on putting it) I really like this one though! just because it's so big & it's the head of David. I'm so impulsive. If it was smaller I would've gotten it..even though I could barely afford it right now - I feel like I'll never be able to find one like this again!

Dinner at Le Papillon earlier tonight with my mom & sister..one of my favourite restaurants! Their food is amazing here. I always get the exact same things.

The duck pate/foie gras..so I tried mustard for the first time in my life - it tastes a lot like wasabi =\

my chicken crepe! with tarragon sauce...soooo good

this was my mom's - most delicious mashed potatoes I've ever had lol

my home!

.489 - escandalo

2011-03-24T22:01:00.005-04:00

Endured 2 weeks of intense stress..another couple more to go! Thanks to certain people/sources of stress-relief, I'm still sane..

I've always loved men's fashion..I have all these outfits in my mind of how I want my future boyfriend to dress. & now I found a couple guys who are willing to let me style them! lol this actually makes me very excited. I love: trenchcoats, cravats, pocket squares, skinny ties, velvet blazers, Robert Graham shirts, crisp white shirts with an open collar (no chesthair) in a dark blue or dark slate gray pinstripe tailored suit, Nicholas Hoult in the Tom Ford ads...ahh

Stress-relief at Beer Bistro

Stress-relief at the Library Bar

.488 - mrteethysmile

2011-03-20T23:46:00.005-04:00

I don't think I've ever had a more stressful and hectic weekend as this one. I wouldn't even say it was a weekend because I was literally at school for the full two days: from 7:30am - 2pm on saturday and 9:30am - 7pm today doing fittings for a fashion show. Oh and as painful as it was I survived in 4-inch heels the entire time. The fittings weren't so bad - it was fun meeting some of the models (especially finding a girl who shared a common love for Scandinavian guys) but extremely exhausting.

I don't know how I still have energy now to update my blog because I barely slept these past few days. Last night I actually went out to crash a party, go to Pravda then go to someone's room til about 4am (this was what I used to do almost every night in the summer - really missed those kinds of nights!). With the amount of stuff I have due these upcoming few weeks, it probably would've been better if I stayed home/gotten a decent amount of sleep before the fitting today....but as I see it, life experiences always teach me more than school ever does. & I've never regretted these kinds of nights before..helps in keeping me sane. Last night was the perfect example of this.

First I went with my party-crashing partner + my other friend Amanda to a party in my building's ballroom. Did not like the crowd here so we went over to Pravda for awhile. I forced myself to come back around midnight since I desperately needed sleep.

Ended up going to someone's room (he lives at my building too) until 4am..I was happy to see my business card was on display in his kitchen lol. Cristal + Cristal..

I kept thinking about how I never exactly regretted anything in life, except taking this course in school. The amount of extra time we're REQUIRED to put into it is seriously affecting all my other courses and my life!! ugh.

Finally got back to my room and slept for like three hours before waking up again..

& this was where I was the entire weekend.

What we had to do on friday: organized all the designers' collections.

Grocery shopping at Longos..kind of sad how this was my stress-relief for the week

Also had to find time to bring Hennessy to the vet for his final shots this week..

Last weekend = Black Death essay. I have another one due on wednesday that I barely started yet...ahhh.

my building on the right..

There was a filming going on beside my building this whole weekend.

Argentinians protesting?
So I walked by the set and into my building earlier today..these guys actually thought I was a celebrity hahah. Made my day. I should've went along with it and given them my autograph..

Fight scene!

.487 - upskirt ali

2011-03-13T23:25:00.006-04:00

Had a full-blown night of lounge/bar-hopping last night..then daylights savings time totally messed up my schedule! But it was fun. Even though at some parts of the night I got really annoyed.

So I went with a few people to a restaurant called E11even. It's right in the Air Canada Centre..we walked by the Leafs game as it was going on.

At E11even..I've been wanting to come here for awhile now, ever since I drove past it once. It's a nice place but wasn't as good as I thought it'd be. We got some food..I didn't really like any of it. I realized food at sports bars are never good.

My first drink of the night....everytime I finished it a new one magically appeared right in front of me! lol. I ended up having like 5 drinks at this place - more than I usually drink but suprisingly they didn't have ANY effect on me at all. I wasn't even the least bit tipsy..

I love this! Their drink menu is on an iPad.

The envelope the bill came in!

Then we went across to Hotel Le Germain ..I loved it here! Way nicer than my building's lobby bar lol. I love little boutique hotels like this.

Hpnotiq!

After that we went to Berber Lounge. The only thing I like at this place is the music..but for some reason it's ALWAYS dead in there! So of course we didn't stay too long. Oh I ran into my friend Jayson from high school which was pretty cool - we haven't seen each other in like two years I think..

Since Pravda is way better/right across the street..we went over. Met some 2.0 guys (a guy who looks like one I already know, but a better & improved version) & some -1.0s (a guy who looks like one I already know, but a worse, older & homeless-looking version)..lol.

So last night we came back later than expected, thanks to daylights savings time. Ended up going to bed at like 6am! Then I got up and finished my Medieval Europe essay in record time while Hennessy watched. Now I'm down at my lobby once again using internet because it's still down in my room....sigh.

.486 - slick haired aussies

2011-03-10T16:01:00.005-05:00

Going through my old Moleskines..this is what I used to do in class

& this is what I did during the summer in coffeeshops.

My entire collection - 22 & counting!

All my Volant ones..

& today this arrived in the mail for me :) Le Petit Prince limited edition! I now have way more Moleskines than I can use..

that thing on the right was ridiculously hard to make (can't make it stand straight)

My PDAC 2011 souvenirs lol. I know some people from Barkerville Gold - they were the ones who got me going to these parties
So the mining parties have just ended for this year :( I wish they could've lasted an entire week..oh well, there's always next year! It was good this year..met some very interesting people. I just remembered I also blogged about last year's - hahah yes we have upgraded from our root canal drills

The Crystal Ball Gala last night..

& this was tuesday night - after some suite-party-hopping..we went to this ballroom party (with my very entertaining/awesome/amazing friend "Seed")

The free food..

I've really missed nights like these - staying out til at least 4am, coming back and sleeping in the next morning. This was what I used to do pretty much everyday during the summer..and sometimes during school nights ;] I sometimes feel guilty but I do not regret it at all.

.485 - PDAC Mining Parties

2011-03-08T17:54:00.004-05:00

This week is the annual PDAC conferences in Toronto, aka one of my favourite times of the year! I know a couple people from gold mining companies so that's how I started going to these parties. They're really so much fun. The biggest ones are always at the Royal York, where we go from suite to suite, & all the drinks are free..

at the Library Bar..completely packed in there! Mining industry people are so much fun to meet - they're all so friendly & really crazy partiers hahah.

I'm most likely going again tonight (the parties go on every night of the conferences!) - so excited. I'll elaborate more about this on my private blog later.

stopping by my friend's office (the one who has the view of my building) before we went last night..

This past weekend I went for lunch uptown with my mom and sister at a buffet called Dragon Pearl.

I really loved the decor in there..

You can't see it that clearly in this picture but there was a big wooden ship in there.

Lounging at the Royal York..pre-mining party madness

Elevator shot

.484 - take a shot to clear your conscience

2011-03-02T22:47:00.004-05:00

Nothing much to update about..so here are some random pictures taken in the past couple days.

The weather is slowly starting to get better these days. Well we've been getting more sunshine but it's still pretty cold. Can't wait for harbourfront days!!

Strawberry flavoured Halls..mmmmm. PS - I'm still sick! :(

Watching TV with Hennessy before bed, as we do every night. :)

.483 - black death

2011-02-26T23:28:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it's snowing again! I'm getting so sick of winter.
So this past week was reading week, which meant no school..but I've been ridiculously sick the ENTIRE time! The first two days all I could do was lay on my couch and watch tv. I've only just started to get better today. Can't believe I've wasted my entire week doing nothing. & now it's already back to school on monday...sigh.

.482 - Hennessy

2011-02-21T01:26:00.004-05:00

I've been so busy with Hennessy this week..going around and getting all the things he needs, vet visits, etc. He probably has too many toys and treats.

When I got him I didn't even tell my parents because I wasn't sure if they'd let me have a dog. I've always wanted one though and was never allowed. So I just went and got him (with my sister). After a few days I finally told my parents and was REALLY relieved when they didn't really get mad about it lol. oh btw I updated my private blog last night..

He loves belly rubs..

& my fox tails

stealing them..

& he loves his Cristal toy

His first walk outside! I cannot wait until the weather gets warmer - we will definately be going on lots of harbourfront/beach walks

At the Old Spaghetti Factory the other day with my friend. Definately felt like the summer..that's when we usually come!

the old carousel inside..

Union Station

The full moon

My replenished stock of Estee Lauder skincare products. I also got like 3 gift sets with it..my mom took the other two. It included the bag, a palette of eyeshadow/lipstick, a lipstick, mascara and cleanser + moisturiser (not pictured)

The palette. Hennessy loves to stick his nose in everything.
I realized I've accumulated so many gift sets over the years that I never even used! So I'm planning to sell it all. I have a ton of Dior Beauty makeup bags and boxes. I'll post some pictures here next time if any of you are interested.

My dad and my sister came downtown yesterday and we had dinner at Marche. Of course I had my mushroom rosti..

We went to the Sony Centre to watch the China Spring Gala show (I don't even know the official name for it)

African Queen tea at Marche tonight.