You Can Take the Girl Out of Toronto...

Rather amusingly, today when I was looking through Apartment Therapy in my reader, I came upon this:

Photo: Apartment Therapy

I thought to myself: Wow, that's a nice room in a totally real way. It's not matchy, it's not "perfect". The colours are lively, the decor eclectic.

And then I opened the actual post and discovered it's a place down the block from me. OK, not entirely down the block - maybe 2 km away - but you get the point. The house is entirely the same vintage as mine. In truth, I like my house better (it is my house after all), but it's amusing that the photo caught my eye for its existential familiarity.

Upside Down

I do like this room:

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Gotta appreciate a space with floors for ceilings. It maintains visual warmth, while allowing the cool to circulate.

I'm enjoying the splash of colour from the comic book art and the get-it-on furniture. I bet this space really comes to life during a Friday night dinner party with some good lighting and sharp tunes.

I do think it needs a spectacular view out that window, though.

Stair Styling

Look, this pattern works absolutely everywhere!

Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy

What's your take? Would you ever wallpaper your stair risers? In zebra?

Online Shopping: (Counter)Intuitive

It seems crazy, buying something sight unseen (or should we say untouched) - kind of like it seems crazy to write about your life and interests on the internet as a gesture of global community-building. But if blogging is anything to go on, internet commerce is a worthy investigation.

Many of my blogger friends are hard-core online shoppers. As a regular bricks-and-mortar shopper (I do live in a huge urban centre with access to most everything), I really couldn't understand this until quite recently. The onliners are American and British, mainly. No surprise there, as those two markets have the best infrastructure for online shopping.

Canada, as you know, is a vast landmass with a small population, triangulated between our wealthy (if currently beleaguered) neighbour to the south and our tiny, Commonwealth "parent" to the east. Between culture and geograpy, both the US and UK are optimally positioned to create strong, healthy online markets. We in Canada struggle to obtain online goods here in some format that doesn't cost a living fortune. And as we sport but a handful of homegrown outlets, relatively speaking, that's not easy.

Gotta say, shopping online via a large US company is rarely in the cards for me. The exchange rate, the extra shipping charge, the duty - they make the experience at least as expensive as if I were to go to the store to purchase object X. And if I go to the store I get to try it on. Again - it's the plus of urban living, I've got going for me.

I imagined shipping from the UK would be that much more onerous - I mean, it's over the freakin' ocean. But I have to tell you, it's not the case. Please stay tuned for my next post in which I promise to give deets about one of my most exciting online shopping trips to date - the one involving bras and undies! It was easy, fun, the customer service rocks - and I managed to buy for less than half of what it would cost me at the shops here.

I have mixed feelings about overthrowing my own local economy for quality goods at half the price from other lands. But I've been thoroughly impressed by the experience - which was not working for me at all any more at my long-time vendor - and my shopping experience matters to me.

Thinking Outside the Room

Photo Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

I'm posting this as an example of a room I wouldn't necessarily create, but which appeals to me on many levels nonetheless.

I enjoy the gorgeous vista, large windows, beautiful floors, animal touches and warm yellow walls. While the ornate element doesn't do it for me, the design isn't overwhelmed by fuss. I'd sure be thrilled to spend a week surrounded by this - or an evening at a dinner party.

Do you appreciate any particular style that isn't specifically you? When do you have the opportunity to experience it?

Genie in a Bottle

One of my fave stops in Montreal is Simons which I always called "Seemon" - like some frenchie wannabe - until, a few visits ago, when an actual French SA advised (snootily, in truth) that it's Simons with a long "i", as in the guy who started it was Scottish. Whatever. I still love the place for its occasional fashion forwardness and its truly excellent deals.

Which brings me to the hammer - I mean harem - pants. Look, this is not a trend on which I'm sold. I find it rather absurd. This is why (I suppose) I just had to try these pantaloons on for kicks. And then I thought they were sort of fun. And man, it's sure as hell like wearing nothing. So cool and breezy. I figure, if I never get the nerve to wear them out (and I already have, silly me), I can still do yoga channeling I Dream of Jeannie. Check out my cool new sandals while you're at it.

OK, you asked for it...

Yes, the glasses are goofy but I was on my way outside.

The Grass is Greener

Perhaps you've heard of Kensington Market, a grimy Toronto institution rife with thrift stores, yummy empanadas and Roach-0-Rama (conservative TO's surprisingly liberal head shop-cum-toking venue) - amongst other things.

Below, please observe how this crunchy granola in extremis, vegan cafe sports an awning grow-op - of the legal variety!

Cool, huh?

PS 1.: Did I mention (at least 20 times) that it's my birthday today? This is the first day of the last year of my thirties. I say that calls for some good times...

PS 2: Between the hard drive debacle (which has become the hunt for a new computer that, alas, I'm coming to terms with), a little jaunt to Mtl. for a few days, and the need to recharge my batteries, I'm going to take about a week away from blogging. I just need a break and some time to sort out administrivia. No doubt, I'll be back before you miss me! :-) Kxo

This Is So TO...

My fave resource lately is Blog TO. While I am, perhaps, the last blog-reading Toronto resident to discover this site, I am certainly making good use of it.

A while ago, I read its post, containing the photos below, about two eco-upgraded residences in two noteworthy, central neighbourhoods (the Beach and High Park). These 'hoods are all-the-more noteworthy for their former, family-friendly populism and somewhat recent addition to the not-so-affordable category.

Let's face it, this entire city (economic downturn notwithstanding) is a very expensive place in which to buy property. A rat-infested crap hole, in an undesirable (though admittedly central) spot, will run you $500K without blinking. Something actually nice and central - and not even that central - can easily cost almost double. And when you start to upgrade said central, somewhat nice residence, well now, that's special.

So when I read about chichi renos in newly chichi areas, part of me wants to live the dream and another part of me wants to vomit with an envy-induced hate-on.

Behold one such project:




Admittedly, I wouldn't be caught dead living in the Beach. It's so out there East End :-) But I admire the clean (if somewhat derivative) lines of this upgraded semi. What you should realize is that the renos alone cost 400K (that's documented in the article). The original box, well I imagine that was easily half a mill 10 years ago.

No offense to the proud homeowners who undoubtedly love the place (of course I like it too). I just don't think I could justify that price tag for this outcome.

Branch Out

I took this photo on Friday evening at Bistro Tati on Harbord St.

Don't you wish you had a petrified tree objet d'art sitting next to your wine collection?

Don't you wish you had that wine collection?

Good Vibrations

So, remember the spendathon? Well, it commenced (unsurprisingly) at a sex shop.

Note to father: Stop reading now.

Now, I don't want to step on Tanya's toes. Truly, her infomercial on the thing was the catalyst for my most recent $$$ sex toy purchase. But I do want to speak about it in general:

The We Vibe is the latest in his 'n hers motorized fun. In brief this "adult lifestyle luxury product" (yes, these people need a new marketing manager), provides clitoral, g spot and penile stimulation, as it can be worn during penetrative sex.

Ain't it amazing how just the right language can totally kill your buzz?

Predictably, this isn't your go-to site for personal vibe reviews, but I am a recent and die-hard fan. I heartily (ha) suggest that you consider it, or some other fun toy, in the near future.

Why? Well, sex toys:

• Promote good sex - alone or with others.
• Are fun to "get to know".
• Give you the option to stimulate the economy and something else.

More to the point, it's practically Valentine's - aka International Day of Sex.

The We is not, however, a negligible purchase. It costs about $140.00 and you can't exactly return it if it doesn't flip your switch. Mind you, there are hundreds of other great options, for both sexes, in numerous price ranges. One is bound to be an affordable risk.

And, c'mon peeps, don't you deserve a little midwinter love?

I thought so.

Not Anatomically Correct

This guy gives a whole new meaning to the term "mannequin" :-)


It's truly amazing what kind of shit you see walking through the Annex on a Tuesday afternoon. Sorry for the photo quality; cell phones at dusk don't really do things justice.

(PS I realize my posts have been less than fulsome lately. I figure it's better to communicate with minimalism than not at all, and between the lingering cough and a crazy work schedule, it's going to take me a few more days to realize some nascent - albeit juicy - ideas.)

Be My Guinea Pig?

I just discovered that 4 of the last 5 US presidents have been left-handed - including Obama. Which is interesting given that only 10% of the general population is.

Of the 10% of lefties, only 1% of those is female. I happen to be in that 1% of left-handed grrrrls. And let me tell you, we rock.

Alas, study after study comes along to advise about the statistical relatedness between left-handedness and premature death, accident, learning disabilities, migraines, mental disorders such as schizophrenia and now, autoimmune disease.

We are also more likely to be presidents (though not prime ministers), artists, athletes, high earners (if male) and synesthetes.

Apparently, lefties think broadly, using a method called synthesis. This tendency lends an ability to multitask. Given that I am also a woman - and you know how we get shit done - I like to think of myself as a frickin' machine. A yellow one. :-) By contrast, our right-handed sisters and brothers are more strictly analytical, performing one concrete mental task at a time. How old school :-)

I'm doing a little experiment - really, I'm just curious. Often when I meet someone, I can tell if he or she is left-handed just by talking - occasionally, just by looking. As you know, I read a lot of blogs. My mind sometimes wonders about the handedness of the authors. Is that outrageously strange?

So tell me, who out there is left-handed? I'm super curious. With both sides of my anomalously dominant brain. Please do tell.

Lookbook.Nu

I love lookbook.nu. The crazy styling, the crazier captions. This photo, recently made my heart skip a beat:

He's so bad ass. So effortless. So seriously hot. Now, M calls himself a "drug dealer from Brooklyn". Not sure if this is the case but, if yes, he sure is fearless too. And if yes, let's hope it's just a little homegrown. Shall we?

A Note of Warning...

Found this in the window of a vintage store on Ossington I walked past after dinner at Delux.

Vintage Version

You know these posts, which showed us these fantastic Neimen Marcus babies?

Well here's the 1960's version I found at 69 Vintage:

Yes, this is the most pedestrian (hahaha, get it?) shot of my legs I think I've ever taken. But it was impromptu with the cell phone and weird mirror. Nonetheless, does it not prove the point that everything old is new again?

FYI: I did not buy these (though they did look fine, photo notwithstanding). They wanted $120.00 for a pair of boots that should have been slightly less worn in the toes for that kind o' bucks. And they were not super comf. Not to mention, if you need to be anywhere quickly, these are not your throw-ons.

But they were a fun find.

Filling the Gap

While I'm on the topic of good, affordable American chic from the Gap, please see Exhibits A, B and C below:


I bought this homage-to-the-pumpkin T and, I have to wonder why they didn't use a model with slightly "more boobs" to show off its saucy neckline.


Ditto with this fabulous jewel-tone aubergine crew-neck. The model is svelte and lovely, if the lower half of her face is anything to go on, but she's lost in this shirt. They make an XS for a reason. Hell, I bought the small and my tits are 8x the size.

I had to resist buying this bag (which is shown in black but also come in a very rich taupe), even though I scarcely need another bag, never mind one without a strap:

It costs 150 bucks and is large enough to hold everything you undoubtedly cart around - although it's not "oversize". The leather, which looks a bit cheap in the photo, is actually soft and supple. Admittedly, it looks better in taupe than in black. It really is a great deal for a woman who doesn't need two free hands when out and about.

What do you think?

Into the Gap

If someone had told me last year that I'd be writing this post I would have said you're high on drugs, honey. Really, I say that. It's one of my over-used phrases that's been in high-rotation since the '80s.

Which, btw, was the last time The Gap did something interesting, IMO.

OK, not fair or true. I know. But I've had a real blah-on for this conglomerate (who'd call it fashion house?) for quite some time.

Brief history of K at the Gap:

c. 1980: I remember checking out a boutique version at some big department store (I think it was Bloomingdale's) while visiting family in NY. It was Ts and sweatshirts all the way. With the old time logo. I thought it was the bomb but my mother said it was sloppy so we didn't buy.

c.1990: It opened on Bloor Street in TO. They did some great boyfriend jeans.

c. 1997: I remember going to Gap during many lunch hours with my great friend Jennifer (who, btw, has just moved into a new, gorgeous house and whom I've been thinking of for weeks. Jen, I'm going to call you...). I think J would agree that it was the place then. I remember buying some very good high-waisted grey wool pants (v. Hepburn) I wore into the ground. They did some super blazers and jackets. The white blouse, of course, is ubiquitous still now.

c. 2002: The cannibal days when Banana and Old Navy cut into the market every which way. Let me clarify, I do like Banana Republic - when on sale, mostly - but I loathe Old Navy. Gap does everything at the same price (esp. when on sale) and the kids stuff at ON sucks. I don't really understand the point of all three of them. Don't suppose anyone does - esp. not the market pundits. Does the term "refocus" mean anything??

c.2008: I read that Mr. Patrick Robinson joined as VP Design and I thought "If anything can save this ailing behemoth in the era of H&M, TopShop, Zara and La Redoute, it's Mr. American Sportswear with an Edge himself." I really thought those exact words.

So I walked in there last week and, to my pleasure and surprise can report they've got some great basics at some great prices. And they are basics with a bit of modernity (but, which still retain the American chic on which the brand has prided itself (rightly or wrongly) these many years).

While it's not, perhaps, so smart to show the ad followed by a mediocre photo of oneself, you know how I like to live on the edge... Here are some pro-shot, tall-heeled trouser jeans I just bought at the Gap:


And here' they are on a, ahem, short, real girl wearing flats:

A Pair and a Spare

You know how bloggers have been sending each other little care packages over the ocean, filled with goodies that express their creativity, like mindedness and camaraderie.

Well, Sal has come up with this great "next step" (pun intended), inspired by an act of kindness on the part of one of her great readers: Audi from Fashion for Nerds offered Sal a pair of boots having the exact description of boots Sal was desperately seeking (but hadn't yet been able to find in her price range). Right time, right place, right size. It's kismet. Then Sal, to express her friendship and gratitude, sent Audi a pair of shoes from her own wardrobe.

See, in her smartie fashion, Sal figured she could turn this moment of friendliness a deux into a fun shoe exchange for all. Here are the basic rules, but you should check out her site for more details:

1. Shoes, boots, and sandals are all fair game. No slippers, flip flops, or Crocs.

2. No crap. Meaning, no shoes from Target, Payless, or similar. Nothing that stinks incurably of your own feet. And nothing that is so beat to hell that the Salvation Army would chuck it. We're on the honor system here, so don't abuse it. Send a pair you can imagine someone being delighted to receive.

3. Send only shoes you are totally willing to part with. Don't buy anything new, just pick a pair from your existing stash that you know you'll never wear again.

4. You must be willing to accept what you get with no complaints. Since taste is highly personal, you might receive a pair you loathe. Since shoe sizing can get wonky, your pair might not fit quite right. Don't make a stink, just chalk it up to experimentation.

5. You must be willing to dig around on your partner's blog to get some sense of her style. If your partner doesn't blog, take the time to find out a little bit about her via e-mail. You may not have the perfect pair on-hand and ready to give away, but you'll have a sense of what she might consider a dud.

6. You must be willing to pay international postage. We're a worldwide empire here at Already Pretty and there's no WAY I'm excluding Hammie and Syke and K.Line and all my other lovely non-American readers, should they choose to participate. You can send your package to Lopi in Greece using the slowest, cheapest means available. Send it via carrier pigeon! Just be prepared to shell out whatever it takes to get your shoes to a far off land.

All floggies welcome. (Term Hammie has coined to denote Fashion Bloggers. Gotta love that woman.) You should do this.

Tat(tle) Tale

A couple of days ago, while walking to work, I spied an urban mom out with her urban kid having one of those hideous, no-win arguments that are so de rigeur with the under 5 set. I discreetly observed the proceedings from a few feet away, smiling empathetically natch, when something fantastic caught my eye: This woman, dressed unobtrusively for a hot summer day (black tank, shorts and flip flops) was the canvass for a most elegant tattoo. A garland of beautifully rendered tea roses encircled her neck asymmetrically, winding from the collarbone up as if she were a trellis. If only that wretched child had let up slightly on the freak out, no doubt I would have asked her all about it and reported back.

At any rate, this really got me thinking re: tattoos. Though I am endlessly fascinated - and often delighted - by body art, for the following reasons I don't have any (and probably never will):

• I'm a bit north of the age-span for which tattoo getting is a regular rite of passage. (When I was young, we misspent our youth on dangerous sexual practices...) Furthermore, I was raised conservatively (as far as personal presentation is concerned) and tattoos were considered somewhat blue-collar (forgive the pun). While I don't buy that hype now, it did influence my decisions 20 years ago.
  
• In the words of my friend Nicole "What if I don't like it 3 years from now?" Style may be eternal, but I am fickle, and I have serious concerns that the K who chooses something now could be lamenting it later. What can I say; it's the Gemini in me...
  
• The process of obtaining said tatoo kind of creeps me out. Don't get me wrong, I've been getting acupuncture regularly since my teens, but those needles are as thin as thread and are not laced with ink. Oh, and they go in once and then you're done. I'm very squeamish about having something pumped into my skin. Something painful. This doesn't bode well for the Botox years :-)
  
• And finally (and probably most relevantly), I'm not sure I want to see my body age through the prism of a tattoo. I'm old enough now to see how skin changes, how gravity works. And while I'm optimistic that it's never going to impact me horrendously (what with my defying age and all :-)), the bet-hedger in me is concerned about putting it to the test with indelible ink.

I know that many of you have gorgeous tattoos. I've read about them and seen photos of them and admired them from afar. So today's question is: What do you think of body art (feel free to include piercing if you like)? Do you have some? If no, why not? If yes, what made you choose the design(s) you have. Are you addicted? So intrigued to hear your answers...