Anthropologie

Okay I LOVE LOVE LOVE this store. The clothes are so unique and the details are so special. Nothing seems cookie cutter or like something you could get anywhere. A lot of the pieces are pricey, but they are quality. A lot of their stuff is dreamy and girly. I was first introduced to them by my friend Hollie. We ordered our bridesmaid dresses from the site. Here's my and her sister Hannah in them...

When you walk in the store your eyes are going everywhere trying to take in all the displays with their textures and colours. The first one I went to was in Boca Raton, FL. I must have spent over an hour just looking at everything. Here was one of the displays. When we were in New York we went to the one by 30 Rock and we probably spent 2 hours there. I got an amazing dress and found this beautiful handmade (not in China) statement necklace that was on sale too.

Not only do they carry clothing, shoes and accessories, but they also have a wide variety of housewares including bedding, furniture, dishes and decorative accents. I just recently found out they carry swimwear... it's the prettiest stuff I've seen.

Their catalogues are also amazing. The photography is beautiful and soft, each one could be be featured in Vogue. I would sign up for them, they are free. If you like scrapbooking or just looking at beautiful things it's a nice treat in the mail. I am not responsible if you then want to get the items inside though.

Check It Out: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp

The Pretty Faces "come home"

I was so happy when I first heard that my good friends The Pretty Faces were doing a tour and coming to Toronto for a gig - a first. I've known Jeff and Thomas (the lead vocalist/guitar and drummer) since I can literally remember. Hannah is Jeff's wife whom I became really good friends with in 2005. The band has been operating out of Southern Florida for the last few years now. They have a great upbeat sound and put on a cool live performance. If you get a chance check them out on iTunes.

After getting stuck in traffic on the way to the show (nearly 3 hours when it should take 1 hour) we arrived for the show at Rancho Relaxo. We had some great authentic Mexican food before hand and I had the chance to quickly catch up with Hannah. I think the show was great too because I knew so many people there. The bands friends and family were all in attendance which made it really special for them. They started their set at midnight, so needless to say it was a late night but well worth it! (PS Hannah I can't wait for your next visit!!)

Red or White or Ice?

So this past Saturday I was invited last minute on a winery tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake. I've never toured a winer before so I jumped at the chance. Our group of 8 met at our friend Rudy's house who arranged the trip at 2pm, expecting to be picked up at 2:30pm. Well the driver arrived at 3:30pm, that hour was spent watching YouTube videos and some episodes of Better Off Ted. We jumped into our Sprinter van and met our driver Bill (who proceeded to tell us that he had gone to St.Jacobs to pick up some cinnamon butter...). Off we were finally. We had snacks in the van and made up stories about the other cars driving by.
Inside Bill's Party Van

We arrived at Canyon Run, a fairly new winery. Our tour guide was not there yet so we hung out and just as we were about to start the party ourselves Chris our guide arrived. I didn't trust his orange sunglasses...So we started off at the vines themselves and learned a bit about the soil and the grapes and growing seasons. Then we headed inside for our tasting. The room of stainless steel vats was tiny but we all squeezed in. We proceeded to taste 2 whites and 2 reds. I purchased the unoaked chardonay which was my favourite out of the ones we tasted.

Waiting for Chris outside of Coyote's Run 

Then we loaded up back into the van and headed to Pillitteri Estates which is the largest ice wine producer in the world and the inventors of red ice wine. Our guide there was pretty funny and we saw the cellars and did a tasting of 4 more wines and 2 ice wines (apparantly that's the first time they have done 2 ice wine samples). They were so delicious. I picked up a bottle of the 2007 Gewurztraminer Reisling Fushion which has 1% ice wine and a bottle of the Cabernet Franc ice wine. While waiting for the other bus group to finish up one of them came to our bus, opened the door with a CASE in his hands and was like "Oh this isn't my bus is it?" We should have grabbed the case and shut the door. We died laughing.

Outside of Pilliteri Estates 

Then we were off to Trius Hildebrand. The property an buildings were gorgeous. Perfect for a wedding. We had an outdoor tasting beginning with sparkling wine. Then Trius White and Trius Red. Then came the ice wine, it
had a apricot/pineapple taste. We ended up getting 2 or 3 samples. The bottles were $70 so unfortunately didn't buy any. We were sufficiently happy at this point and were ready to get some food.

Chris pouring samples for Stevie and the rest of the gang

Amy and I sampling at Trius Hildebrand

We arrived at Casa Mia, a gourmet Italian restaurant. We were seated in a private room and our waiter Andrew was great. With each course was a bottle
of wine (ice wine at dessert!). We had an amouse bouche, appetizers,
sorbet, main course and dessert. The food was REALLY good...see the pictures below for proof (smoked salmon and tiramisu). 

All in all it was a great day and night. When I finally home at 2am I was thinking I can't wait to do it again :)