Toronto

aka T.dot, T.O., Hog Town, The Big Smoke

Canadian Music Week

BB | March 18th, 2010

The 28th annual Canadian Music Week (CMW) hits Toronto in March. One of this music city’s answers to SXSW (the other being NXNE – North By North East), CMW is part conference, part film festival, and part concert series, but is definitely all about Canadian music.

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Oh My G-d Shoes!

BB | March 17th, 2010

Snowfall in Toronto this winter has been, well, non-existent so this city’s shoe lovers have been able to go crazy and kick off their usual cold weather boots and Uggs (thank goodness!) in favour of more interesting footwear.

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An ever-expanding array of music venues

BB | March 15th, 2010

Good new music venues rarely pop up around town so the Garrison on Dundas Street West is a welcome addition to the landscape.

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Fantasies are never Final

BB | March 1st, 2010

Owen Pallett aka Final Fantasy

Toronto native, Owen Pallett, released his new album Heartland this month. It’s the first album released under his own name (Owen was formerly known as Final Fantasy – a name change was in order after much legal wrangling with the 80s game makers).

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Brunch + Brunch = Brunch

BB | February 26th, 2010

Hoof Cafe

Torontonians seem to love brunch and the number of brunch-centric places continues to grow and grow around town.

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There is always more room for Stacks of Vintage

BB | February 25th, 2010

Stacked vintage accessory boutique

Toronto’s vintage scene continues to expand with new places popping up around town. The latest addition to the Bloor and Lansdowne neighbourhood is 69 Vintage’s newest collective space. The converted storefront warehouse space (previously 69 Vintage’s pound store) features three floors of independent vintage vendors offering vintage clothing and accessories, and original pieces. Read More

Toronto Festivals Showcase Great Films All Year Round

BB | February 18th, 2010

It’s the off-season for Toronto’s major film festivals, however, three of our biggest are still holding special screenings around town to keep the locals happy.

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It’s Valentine’s day, so what?

BB | February 13th, 2010

I’m one of the people that believes love and appreciation for others should be shown all year round therefore I try hard each February 14th to avoid my favourite romantic spots and the throbbing masses of love-struck individuals. Having said that, a few seasonal events are worth checking out.

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Holiday Spirits Around West Queen West

BB | December 30th, 2009
S&QDec17

Poster by laurenhortie.com

Toronto’s popular West Queen West neighbourhood and surrounding area- seemingly home to every hipster and artist or hipster artist wannabes- is hosting many festive parties over the coming month. One favourite event of mine, Steers & Queers, is holding a Gay Olde Oprey at the The Dakota Tavern. Read More

Oldies but Goodies

BB | December 30th, 2009
A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story

In the winter months staying in and renting an old movie is high on my list of priorities.

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Get a Doc Fix at Toronto Independent Cinemas

BB | December 28th, 2009

Bloor+Blog

Torontonians have the economic blues like everyone else so the city’s beloved independent theatres (where screenings cost less than mega-chain theatres) are doing good business.

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Awareness continues online and beyond

BB | December 23rd, 2009

moustache

The global fundraising campaign to support prostate cancer, Movember has a Canadian partner in Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) so local moustache lovers can sport a stache and raise money to support PCC’s good work with Canadian men.

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Online Comics and Animated Characters

BB | December 19th, 2009

artstars

My latest obsession on the Information Superhighway is artstarstv.com.  The Art Star investigates art events around Toronto and offers her critique.  While I don’t always agree with her point of view, I do appreciate her keen fashion sense and sense of humour.

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In the Right Department

BB | December 18th, 2009

St. Regis Room circa 1930

St. Regis Room circa 1930

In addition to my regular patrol of vintage shops around town, I’ve become a fan of hitting up one of Toronto’s best-kept secrets for good fashion, the iconic Canadian department store The Bay.  The Bay was the place my/every Mom took her kids in the mid 80s  to find pink converse knock-offs, and is best known for their original wool Point Blankets (which have made a style come-back).

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Spandex, Sex and Rock n’ Roll Hip Hop

BB | December 17th, 2009

Peaches-Photo-by-Jess-WattI recently saw home-grown girl, Peaches, in concert and it was a true spectacle.  With multiple costume changes, from hairy suits to sparkly spandex, Peaches can do no wrong.

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