things to do in toronto

yoga in a castle beats all other yogas

guys. i did yoga in a CASTLE.
the guest of honour... casa loma (photo from chelsey)

as i wind down on my time in toronto - as people do at any time when they are running out of time in a place - i wanted to commit to giving myself time to play with toronto. to enjoy it the way we sometimes forget to when we're so entrenched in the day to day. i wanted to allow myself the time and money to do some of the things that people perceive torontonians as doing a lot of... and that most of us have likely not done. time to spend in independent art galleries  time to go to the small bars i always promised myself i would; time to get to bluegrass at the silver dollar, with a friend who always asks. things that have been on my ongoing, constantly cycling to-do list for the duration of my stay in this amazing city.
and now, i find myself with only a month left here, and i'm running out of time to do all of the things i have told myself for 5 years i would do "next week".
needless to say, when i walked into lululemon (TO BROWSE ONLY....... ha) and saw that they were hosting a community yoga class to live music at casa loma, i wrote it in my planner (in PEN), and declined plans for almost a month to be able to make it.
photo from kristi

let me just say this, right off the top: if you ever have the chance to do yoga accompanied by live music, do. not. hesitate.
essentially, the amazing team at the eaton's centre lulu, combined everyone's love of all things yoga, with the amazing magic of being in a castle. THEN, they added live music. and love was made into the perfect environment. i can't imagine i'll ever have this kind of an opportunity  and because of that, i knew i could not afford (mentally, emotionally, and monetarily - because it was FREE NINETY NINE) to miss this chance.
awesome (photo from kristi)

we arrived on one of the most yucky nights we've had in toronto this 'winter', sort of feeling dismal and gross about the wet and 'snowy' weather. we were bundled from head to toe in our gear, and knew that at some point we'd be required to strip down and house our clothing items... somewhere. y'all know yoga clothes don't leave room for pockets roomy enough to store winter boots. as i am with everything new (here is a large admittance from the mind of jamie) i was nervous. i get worked up and hesitant about the unknown. i get nervous and scared that i'll be the only one who doesn't know what i'm doing, and be the isolated event in which someone falls on their face and fails. 
and may i remind you, that 2 years ago, i broke my back, and i've only done 1 organized yoga class since that time? nervous meter mounting as we walked into the castle (i'll have a game on who can count the number of times i reiterate that i did yoga in a CASTLE - prize included). what to expect; would i fail?; would my back give out?; what if i was the only one dressed the way i was, and who didn't know the positions?
much was relieved when we entered the doors. you know that feeling when you're nervous to see an old friend? worried you may not have a ton to talk about, and you may end up with silences filled by awkward stares and hesitant observational commentary? and then, you sit down, and the conversation flows like you're still sitting with them in high school again - as though time had never passed? welcome to the nostalgia i felt as soon as i walking into the castle. lululemon always has the most lovely of people working for them - and of course, they were all there, lining the halls to help everyone, every step of the way. sign the waiver, check your coat, boots along the wall, and hang out in this castle before heading in to do some yoga. so we did just that. we signed the streamline and clear waivers, we checked our coats in a coat check that bars could take a number from, and then left our boots, bags and excess clothing against the wall in the main room. 

put your legs up in the air, put your legs up, in the air (homage to this song) - photo from kristi
when we were all brought into the main room, jeff mentioned it was likely a library. ok - now i feel like belle from beauty in the beast. minus a prince turned monster, PLUS yoga and a band (no hate towards B & the B - my fave disney movie ever in the world). after laying out our mats, getting all up close and personal (trying to allow as many people in the room for the class as possible), and meeting the instructors (and the lovely band), we got down to business.
the lovely instructors (i wish i knew their names!) brought us through an amazing class. some well timed sun salutations, and some GREAT strength poses. we did some balance, and some stretches, and all the while, tanika charles and the wonderfuls played in the background. i had a front row seat for music absorption - made it a BIT difficult to hear the instructors at times, but i attribute that to the castle ceilings, and my poor hearing. when i felt like i was missing instruction, i just staying in my downward dog longer, and listened to the band.
perfection.
have i mentioned that it was in a castle??
check out that butt (just joking, please ignore my boring yoga gear). and my excitable (only to me) ponytail! (photo from kristi)

afterwards, after a loooooong shavasana, we collected ourselves, gave thanks and reveled in a bit of the wonder that was doing yoga in a castle, and then gave our much deserved applause to the instructors, the band, and the eaton's centre staff for coordinating such an amazing experience. 
we rolled up our mats, watched people get some fruit and chocolate, and filled our water bottles with lemons and some cold water, and then collected our things to leave. 
i've never much been the kind of person for whom yoga spiritually affected. i began yoga as a way to stretch and strengthen for running, and then continued yoga because of the flexibility and focus it gave me. but i will say this - there's something magical about yoga in such a well linked community, in such a spiritual and old place, and among a group of people so enthusiastic about the practice that they are basically giddy. 
guys. the band was (mostly) barefoot. everyone was so into it, it was invigorating. 
i've been left thinking of it, and almost only it. and it will be on my mind as i wrap up in toronto. what a perfect way to leave.

(if you are an owner of any of these photos, and would like me to remove, no problem! let me know)

let me know when we get there // if we get there

last night i went to see fink at the garrison on dundas west. and nights like last night, remind me why i love living in the great city of toronto.
dare i saw i've never ventured into this double sided wonder of concert heaven? it's a great venue. good beer on draft and in the can (bottles too maybe - i didn't notice), a bit seperated from the street, and some chairs chill in the front for people to sit close to the stage (making lots of standing room - where you can actually see!). they had great lakes pumpkin ale on draught! duh. i'll be visiting again. i can't believe i've never been (as it's less than 5 blocks from my house).
warning. these may be the worst concert photos i've ever ever taken, to date. as a result, i've also included other people's photos (credit included). so, thanks to them.
we walked in to a smallish crowd... and the dreamy and ever talented and amazing and wonderful donovan woods was opening (how did we catch THAT lucky break??). he's a toronto songwriter, originally from sarnia (but we'll forgive him for that). first album was out in 2007, and since then, he's just been kicking ass and taking names (= writing songs, and singing like a beauty). new album coming in january - and he played some new stuff, so i'm amped about it.
he was perfection. his voice is so familiar, and so calm. his writing is perfect, his singing suits his songs, and he's hilarious. he also wrote a toronto anthem for 'the grid' that you are not a torontonian if you've never heard or don't listen now. go. i can wait.
sorry dudes. didn't note the song list, and showed up a bit late (damn!).  however, he played a length play list. THAT i know.
then, mini break. then, fink. fink is an english artist, based out of brighton. while i would describe him as a bluesy singer songwriter, he has often said he was heavily influenced by his rave days, and the techno that came along with that. throw in some jazz influence (from his very first recording), and you've got fink - a medley of experiement and bluesy songwriting. the fink trio, typically consisting of fin, the MULTI talented tim thornton (LOVE) on drums and guitar, as well as bassist guy whittaker (who was missing last night...), the band is an honest, and gutsy one. they're bold, and EXTREMELY talented (they recorded their last album in 16 days)... and i am constantly in awe when i listen. watching fin and tim perform last night was no exception.
see - told you they were bad
they came on, and instantly started in. just the two of them on stage. and i will say this - any 2 people who can hold an entire performance together, in a small club, while capturing the entire crowd, deserves massive high fives. not unlike first aid kit last week, these two guys are obviously in love with what they do, and they power through their music as though it's the last show they'll ever play. i love that as an audience member.
they dominated their entire set... their english accents thick, and subtly hilarious. the music was consistent  and perfect... better than any album you could listen to. as they played 'this is the thing' my friend alex - who randomly happened to be at the show that night too - wrote me a text that said, "and some songs are those songs that just take you right back, and put your heart in your throat". this song, if you've never heard it, does exactly that. 
'and the things that keep us apart keep me alive and the things that keep me alive keep me alone. this is the thing'
in finishing their set with 'sort of revolution', fin dropped the guitar, and finished off with a mix from his pedals. a quasi dj set on the ground, if you will (you can see what he did here in this video from earlier this year - at about 7:40). beauty. perfect way to end. but then we got an encore. dayum.
set list for fink (missed the first song):   yesterday was hard on all of us   //   pretty little thing   //   save it for somebody else   //   berlin sunrise   //   perfect darkness   //   trouble's what you're in   // wheels   //   this is the thing   //   sort of revolution   //   encore: if only
you should absolutely watch fink perform 'pretty little thing' here. drink it in.
and listen to one of my faves from donovan. try not to like him.
and then, do your research. find donovan on the web here, and check out some future shows here. and don't forget to buy his albums here. find fink on the web here, and check out shows they have coming up here. and then, follow these dudes on twitter here: donovan woods & fink.
thanks boys - even without the bassist, your music was flawless. the crowd was enamoured. and hey - if you ever need jewelry, i'm your gal.

live like a rock star

just before the weekend started, mine began with a delayed birthday gift from a friend. she presented my with tickets to the motley crue/KISS tour. 200s. at the ampitheatre.
dream. come. true.
as i said to my friend, "no bum touching, but we still got our money's worth". it was literally one of the best, most entertaining, and loudest nights of my life. scantily clad women (and not JUST in the crowd), fire, water guns, men in leather and face paint. PLUS. vince broke his foot in two places and had it x-rayed in the great city of toronto before the show - so he performed on an AIR CAST. those of you who know me (and my all too familiar air cast - which i have moved everywhere along with me), know that this was my fave part of the show.
KISS and motley crue - two wrongs make a right. i promise you that. (photo)
motley crue played a perfect set - perfect. good mix of old and new, including one of the most amazing drum solos i've ever seen (and not just because tommy solo-ed in a spinning wheel of awesome) - if you have never ever seen tommy lee solo, PLEASE google that right now. i'll wait.
and, when it was done, and we thought we had seen all we could see (my friend even said, 'i'm not sure how KISS can top that'), KISS came on, and performed another unbelievable set. and blew it out of the water. they were as creepy as ever (gene did not go without blood - of course), and total rock stars. their solos were perfect, and they reaffirmed for me that they are the essence of the beginnings of rock. please, also. google 'gene simmons bass solo'. it will change your life (and not simply because of the blood that usually escapes his mouth during these solos. or his tongue. though both are also life changing). also, the things that paul stanley does as a frontman? dreamy. case in point... his intro to lick it up. always gets me.
life checklist - you were dominated last night.
so then, i'll leave you with this - two of my favourite songs from both KISS, and motley crue. love gun, and wild side, respectively. 
i could have chosen hundreds from the catalogue that these bands both have. this was hard. but i just like them. and they were the first ones of my faourites that came to mind. and they were played last night... so it all adds up.

my soulmate in a pizza place

this is an edit from my previous posting on my fave places in my hood. and i do this only because i didn't want to divert attention from the other fabulous places that i love.... that, and, PL deserves it's own post because i spend so much time (*cough*money*cough*) there. and love it. and the people. etc. love.
my soul mate - pizzeria libretto. 
you already clearly know everything about it because i talk about it so much. but can we please further delve into it's wonder? they will take your name for a waitlist, and CALL YOU WHEN YOUR TABLE IS READY. aka. i don't have to sit or stand, blocking their entry, waiting for an hour for a table. instead, i can drink $4 beer at the lakeview! win, win, win. their pizza cooks for 90 seconds - because, well, we be busy people! - at 900 DEGREES. i'm not sure if you understand the magnitude of what i'm explaining here. that means: burny crust bits; chewy inside; bubbly cheese; wonderous beauty in pizza form. 
wait... what's that, you say? did jamie say cheese? do those photos have meat in them? but i don't understand - i thought she was vegan? psych! i am. kind of (that's a whole other blog post). since i'm vegan for political and environmental reasons, i choose to consciously eat meat and cheese sparingly (think - once a month, if that), and only if i know where it comes from, and i'm comfortable that it is produced in a sustainable, and responsible manner. enter PL - local ingredients, from local farms, who farm responsibly (you can ask more when you get there). they know what they're doing, and they're doing it right. this is how they feel about it.
still not convinced? fine. they are certified. as in, they have VPN certification that their pizza is the real thing from naples. that's the real thing, ya know? they have a pizza oven made by a 3rd generation oen maker in naples, and they use the real ingredients - to be certified legit. too legit to quit. 
the atmosphere is the most fancy casual restaurant i've ever been to. want to take a date? no prob. want to impress someone fancy? you can absolutely do that. want to have lunch in jean shorts on a sunday afternoon? sure! (but only if it's a late, after 4 lunch). this place makes you feel like a million bucks - like a celeb - without making you feel like you need to know the creme de la creme of table manners. case study. i'm not a classy gal - i like to talk loud, i burp, i eat with my hands, and i don't really own nice shoes (they're all birkenstocks, blundstones, and moccasins). taking me to restaurants is a bit awful for some people. here? i am accepted. a table full of women who like to share pizza, and talk about likely totally inappropriate things? acceptable. honestly - you'll feel good here. 
and i can't go without saying that the people who work here are phenomenal. they remember you, they are funny, and sweet, and just plain good at their jobs. they know everything about everything, and they recommend things without hesitation. case study: my friend and i wanted to know which of the 2 cheapest bottles of wine on the menu was better - our server, without hesitation, told us. and made us feel normal for being cheapskates. love him. sitting at the bar, ordering food, drinks, various things of delectable nature, and chatting with the lovely people working the bar area - what other restaurant can you go into and integrate their service staff into your evening comfortably? these people are the perfect balance of professionalism and service and easy going (ness?), and fun. 
birthday celebrations for a babe at PL (photos from nicole and erin)
just go to this place. you will not regret it. sometimes i tell people about it, and i get all worked up and worried that they'll get there, and hate it. but that's ridiculous. nevernevernever has anyone not wanted to immediately go back. (sorry 'bout that double negative) 
tell them jamie sent you. it won't mean anything, but it'll be funny.

girl in da hood

i love where i live.
i can honestly say that for one of the first times in my life - despite my feelings of not belonging anywhere, or missing something that's not yet come - i love exactly where i am.
i live in the most wonderful neighbourhood in toronto. the people are hilarious and quirky and lovely and wonderful and talented and enagaging and perplexing. the streets are lined with trees, and they have space for familes and babies to walk down them, and kids to ride bikes, and hippies to wander and have front lawn picnics late into a friday night (yes - this happens frequently on my street). the stores are all perfect - they are mom and pops, they are independantly owned. they're old or just opening. they serve a purpose or they are just trying to fit in.
and always wanting to be somewhere else, is NO GOOD for being where you are. 
i've done a city guide tour of some favourite things in the world for seattle, but what the heck? i'm the worst torontonian ever. when my friend was moving into the hood, and asked about my faves, it occurred to me i haven't written in one place about my gems in toronto.
duh. 
so here you are friends. my neighbourhood guide for my fave hood (which also happens to be MY hood... coincidence??).
i should note - this is by NO MEANS an exhaustive listing of things to do in toronto.... the city is a big one. that would be a whole other listing of things to do. this is contained to the area that i live in, and spend most of my time in. i've definitely left some of my favourite toronto things out!
i live in little portugal. dundas west. parkdale. it's amazing and wonderful and filled with the majority of my favourite places in toronto. not only do i not go east of yonge (well.... on rare occasion, and only for the very bestest people in my life), i rarely have occasion to leave my hood, because i can find most of the best in one place. why bother!? so. here's what you do when in my area of town...
things you find when walking the streets in my hood
trinity bellwoods park. little can be said other than, you can literally do ANYTHING here. i paint. and drink. and bead. and talk. and read. and listen to music. and watch people do yoga. they have concerts, and really plain hip people to just stare at. it's our central park - but way better. go.
go for walks - lots of them. you'll find the best views of the city, lovely people, good secret quiet tree lined streets, and lots of perfect graffitti and art. some of my most favourite times in my neighbourhood have been just walking - up and down dufferin, brock, ossington. out westward to roncesvalle, and down queen street. there's something so so lovely about the cross section of people who interact and live together in these cramped quarters we call duwest/parkdale/little portugal.
i love every second of it. 
 the city from here
go see music - anywhere really. all of the bars up and down queen street and dundas almost always have bands. the gladstone, the drake. red light. cadillac lounge... basically just walk. you'll find music. and it's worth it.
then food and drink. my most favourite. so i'll spend some time here. enoteca sociale. sister restaurant to PL (see below). a true roman style pasta and wine bar... with again, local ingredients. this restaurant is a dream come true. the food comes in moderately sized (read: normal) portions, and is simple, basic, but so so intricate. my recommendation for two people, for example? order either a cheese plate, or an apitizer (or 2) to start, 2 pastas, and desert and coffee. and wine - oh don't forget wine. they also have custom beer on draught (like PL). and they're so good sometimes i go just for them.
pasta.... oh sweet delicious dreamy pasta.
the service at this restaurant, is.... unspeakable. they are attentive, knowledgeable. wonderful wonderful people. i would come to this restaurant if the only thing they served here was bread, simply for the service. these people deserve accolaides coming out the wazoo. anyone who has ever worked in the service industry? go visit. you'll appreciate it to the moon.
a latte and desert after dinner....... dream world.
OMG baked goods - easy as pie to choose as fave. they have the best foccocia in the city, a ton of gluten free baking (think - cheesecake and other amazing delectable dishes - including gluten free foccocia to order!), and vegan cupcakes. though i can likely blame them for single handedly contributing to my weight gain while i was off work, they're cupcakes are my heaven. think: neon icing. yea. i know. if nothing else, go for the cupcakes. also important fun facts: their signs are wonderful chalk drawings of fabulousness (i don't know who does them, but i constantly admire them when i walk by); they have a stupendous gingerbread house contest/auction in the winter (which is SO SO rad.... check it out when it comes); when i tweet them about things (i.e. putting aside gluten free schtuff for my visiting friend), they happily oblige. they are tha best.
fave bars in the area? easy. 1. my fave bar with no name (at 1602 dundas) - name changes nightly (as does the sign!). the bartenders are the best in the city, the place is not stuffy, but comfortable. and they have chips. i can eat CHIPS at this bar! 
1602 - and lovely elliot tending bar; elliott's wonderful chalk name signs (this one, inspired by us!)
2. lakeview - my go to for PL (see below) wait time. they have tons of good beer on tap (and a $4 beer special EVERY night - usually with 3 different beer every day!). they are open 24/7 (i'm a night owl), and they serve good food. tons of poutines. it's perfection. 3. reposado tequila bar. guys - they have blood orange margaritas, and a bajillion types of straight up tequila. once, for a friends birthday 5 of us went in and (because we're SUUUUUPER classy), asked for a shot that would taste better than puke, but didn't cost $15. they delivered. they are charming, lovely, and the space is so dark and mysterious. good date place. they have a secret back patio. in summation and i love it. 4. cocktail bar. for maximum fun, and for just plain good cocktails, made by people who know what they're doing (but aren't pretentious dicks about it). 
5. the rhino. i love because of a) they're HA-UGE patio, b) their amazing beer selection (and prices!), c) it's easy to be at (so relaxing, and not uppity, or too trendy/hipstery... essentially, even i feel moderately cool there), d) the huge rhino head. need i say more? then, in no particular order: the crooked star (great beer on tap, super relaxed and easy going); the grove (a VERY new find, and already one of my top faves - nicest owner i've met in a while, and a beautiful space. GREAT cocktails), churchill (funky, quiet, perfect for an unassuming, good drink), 
gin lemonade at the grove
and i save the best for last. because. well. a) it's my blog (deal with it), and b) it's my fave. not in my neighbourhood - in the whole city. people from LA know of this mythical place, and have been there purely because i rave about it. i would spend every day/night there if i could.... and i have standing dates with people who don't even bother asking where we're going anymore, because they know it'll be here. my soul mate - pizzeria libretto. 
i can't say enough good things about this place - so i tried to say as many as i could think of (but here... in its own entry).
it's amazing and wonderful - a dining experience you WILL NOT regret or forget about. but please - for your first time, don't just do lunch, and don't do time limit. go in, take your time, drink some wine (or prossecco, because.... uh.... it's amazing?), eat pizza and appetizers, and enjoy the company of the service staff. they are wonderful. it's a great place, with a great atmosphere. spend some time and really take it in. it'll be worth it. and if you want more (which you obvs do), here's more about my fave here.
ok.... moving on. just because i haven't said much about them, doesn't mean i don't love them... so don't forget to stop in/check out the brazilian bakery (for tarts, and lovely baked bread); multiple organics organic grocery shop - cause duh. they fed me when i was off work for 8 months; the henhouse, because even though you have to guess when they will be open, they make AMAZING food, have pretty cheap beer, good brunch, and they're just plain lovely to hang with; the common for coffee - amazing baristas, beautiful space, and they have WINE AND CHEESE AT NIGHT; birthia, for super awesome, unique, pieces of jewelry, clothing, accessories (bags, etc.) by local artists (and me!); 
re:claim jewelry on display at birthia
so if you're visiting, living here, wandering around the city... visit me. visit us. we're awesome. and you won't regret it.
we're a little rough around the edges, but we're friendly and we like new people!