Where's Walda

‘Tis the season to be jolly…

Well, ‘tis always the season for this little lady to be jolly, but the official season for merriment & giving is upon us.  With it our thoughts turn to finding that special something to put under the tree or pass across the menorah to those we love. But where to look for something with meaning, and not just another trinket or gadget that helps fuel the economy of excess we are inundated with this time of year?  This year, skip the mall altogether. This multicultural mecca we live in is home to so many local artists, designers, and one-of-a-kind shops that there really is no need to fight the crowds and buy something with no unique story. This year, don’t only think local when stocking your fridge, but also when trimming beneath your tree.

Tin Taj

Want to bring that party host with the most an atypical and unique gift this year? Pop by Tin Taj, a Queen West institution for all things ornamental. Pick from an array of sheet metal ornaments sure to add a little festive bling to any tree. Keep heading east to the queen of pastries and and choose from a selection of heaven sent macaroons at Nadege, tie it all together with a little ribbon from Mokuba (see what I did there?!) and you can be assured yours will not be re-gifted.

Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market

This year, don’t just shop for shopping’s sake. Bring back some of the magic of the season by grabbing a few friends and head over to the Distillery for an authentic Christmas Market. Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market  runs until December 12th in the Distillery District and has a little something for everyone in your group. Visit one of the 5 beer and mulled wine gardens and enjoy a (few) warm cup(s) of cheer. Then stroll through the European styled marketplace and browse through the “hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products”. Kids can even hop on a Ferris wheel for a view from the top and mix and mingle with the traveling elves.

Hollace Cluny

Economic meltdown happen to bypass your wallet & leave you with a healthy holiday shopping budget in 2010?  Is there a friend or in-laws on your list for whom only the best will do on Christmas day? Head uptown to Hollace Cluny,  “Toronto’s most respected destination for modern design and decorative arts”. (Literally) light up their faces on Christmas morning with a contemporary lighting piece by Roll & Hill.  For something with equal visual but slightly less economic impact, pick up a piece of Sophie Cook Ceramics, because heck if its good enough for Armani, who wouldn’t love it?!

Enjoy parusing those little shops you might otherwise have walked by this year and remember;  friends don’t left friends gift soap.

-WW

Whether you’re putting it on for a night on the town, or taking it off after giving it the grand tour,  no one can deny the power of owing a hot new dress.

That’s exactly what the gals behind the Frocktail Party are banking on- that you, your beau and all your friends will join them next Friday at the second annual Frocktail Party in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and shop till you drop. “Inspired by fashion and compassion” the Frocktail party combines a night of high fashion dress shopping with an unbeatable party, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

This year’s auction will feature dresses straight off the runway from LG Fashion week here in Toronto with designs from Spring 2011 lines. The auction will showcase some of Canada’s hottest designers including David Dixon, Jeremy Laing, CALLA, Alex & Eli, Marika Brose, Jay Godfrey, Joeffer Caoc (donated through FASHION magazine) Lida Baday, Franke, Mackage, Jenny Bird, Andrew Majtenyi, Las Valentias, Aime Luxury, Dean Davidson and Peros who have all graciously donated to the event.  For a look at the incredible dresses in this year’s auction preview, check out the Frocktail Facebook page.

If you attended last year’s event, you might have uttered a “Frock off” or two  when your alarm clock buzzed you out of bed Friday morning- fear not. Due to the success of the inaugural party, this year’s event is all grown up and being held next Friday November the 12th at 99 Sudbury. Auction shopping not your bag? Not a problem! After you peruse the auction room-which is guaranteed to change the minds of even the faintest of auction harted- hop across the hall to the Glass Factory where the Frocktail gals have packed the party with everything a gal could dream of. Grab a cocktail and a seat at one of 8 OPI nail bars, then suss out the state of your skin at the Dermalogica skin bar, and top it all off with a hair touch up courtesy of Schwarzkpof. Who needs a trip to the spa when you can do it all while holding a cocktail?! Gents- wondering what to do at a party replete with dresses and spa treatments? Kick back, relax, and bask in the glory that is a sea of beautiful and contented women.

Last year’s event sold out; and with the fashion, media, and gliteratti all returning this year it’s sure to do the same again. To purchase tickets, and for all things Frock head to theFrocktail Party Website.

See you next Friday in your finest new frock!

-WW

Whoa Nelly ! I hope you’ve got your teeny tinies out because today is among the holiest of party days clear across this great continent.

Morals will be thrown out the window, game will be thrown down, and many a superhero who falls asleep beside a playboy bunny will awaken to find a sleeping dragon in their lair come dawn.  It’s Halloween, and if you don’t have children of your own, then you probably plan to act like one and have at least 10 too many adult cocktails, so be prepared. Stock your fridge, grab some Advil and some Gatorade and put Pizzaiolo on speed dial because darling reader- you might not leave the couch tomorrow.

Today I defer to a higher power for all things Halloween. Replete with everything you may want to know-who, when, where, why and how much-BlogTO’s Halloween event listings are your source for it all this eve. Enjoy!

Wherever you end up tonight, please party safely. Take taxis, don’t talk to creepy strangers and be careful, because you never know what may lie beneath a costume. Keep your eyes peeled for Walda this eve. She’ll be out in full force!

Happy Halloween!

-WW

Having a virtual Michelin guide in your head has it’s perks. I ALWAYS have a running list of at least three places I’d like to head to with a friend for mid day lunch, or with handsome lad for a quiet dinner. However, toting around this information in my noodle often means that come 6pm on a Saturday, I’ve had 4 inquiries as to where to do the same. In an effort to quell my already excessive use of BBM, I would would like to present the second Where’s Walda favorites list- the Where’s Walda Favorite Dining Bars in  (my Western biased ) T.O. I personally feel that there is no better way to enjoy a meal out, alone or with a companion than at a dining bar. As such, for those of you looking to dine in packs, this list will not appeal, as anything greater than two at a dining bar is a crowd.

*It stands to note, this little lady abhors dining out on weekends. As a restaurant puritan and arguable snob, I avoid dining with the bridge & tunnel crowd whenever possible. Show me a Smendozatta on a Sunday evening and I’ll show you a girl in heaven.

And with that, I present to you:

The Where’s Walda’s Favorite Dining Bars in T.O. 

Terroni

The crema de la crema is undoubtedly the bar at the original Terroni at 720 Queen Street West. You (literally) can’t beat this welcoming marble slab and swivelling orange bar stools with a stick. Between the impossibly attractive servers, quirky soundtrack that changes depending on who’s behind the bar, family vibe, and honest-to-goodness freshness and quality of the ingredients this little lady could spend a day here grazing, gazing and phasing out.  Although it is physical impossibility for me to personally order anything other than a Smendozatto an a Buffalo Caprese salad, I’ve tried almost everything offered on this menu from Italian heaven. If I had to I could close my eyes, point and be guaranteed a sunny trip to Calabria in my mouth.

Lee

Alarmingly affordable considering the who the wizard behind the curtain in this kitchen is, Susur Lee’s second incarnation to carry his name has one of the most enjoyable dining bars in the city.  Head to 603 King Street West and sit around the far side of the pink plastic bar. Bask in the rosey candlelit glow and enjoy some killer people watching while savoring some of the most artistically presented and creative tapas dishes this side of El Bulli (10 points if you don’t think those last two words are a typo). The term melt-in-your-mouth was coined prematurely, as the caramelized black cod is it’s raison d’etre. The 21 ingredient tower of Singaporean style slaw is a must, and if you carry a difibrulator, the duck confit crepe is not to be passed over. Try a glass of blueberry sake with your dessert and call it a day because just like dinner- you’ll be done.

Pizzereia Libretto

Although my love for the owners of this authentic Neopolitan Pizzeria might sway my personal vote, the rest of the city can’t be wrong. The endless line ups and the city wide popularity led this Neopolitan Pizza explosion to open up 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Head to the top of the Ossigtnton strip and pop into number 221 just before you hit Dundas. Grab a seat at this bar and you’re assured cheerful service, a well priced glass of wine and a pizza dough that is every so slightly sweet and topped with salty mouth watering duck confit. Sigh.. heaven.

The Lakeview

Whether it’s Sunday at noon and it’s a mimosa and crab cakes you’re after, or Saturday at 3am and your belly full of Guiness will not let your blearly eyes rest until you’ve had a grilled cheese sandwich- head to the bar at the Lakeview. This almost 80 year old Toronto landmark is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you’ll never be met by a closed door. The brunch menu is among my favorites in it’s entirety, and the poutine is good enough to order three- not that I know anyone who’s ever done that. The neighborhood provides a mix of colorful characters no matter what time of day or night you choose to pop by, so head over to 1132 Dundas just East of Ossington for a quiet tipsy bite alone or an early morning brunch complete with grapefruit mimosa - divine.

Wherever you choose to head next, try the bar. I promise your dining out days will be changed forever.

-WW

What lady doesn’t love a man with some scruff ? And what man doesn’t love a lady who can talk about his prostate. WHOA. That’s right, I went there. On what began as an evening of gallery tours last night, my fateful companion and I stumbled upon a most delightful surprise at Thrush Holmes Empire - a kick off party from the team who brings hair to the faces of men worldwide as the leaves change colour and the days get shorter. It’s almost Movember boys and girls, and you know what that means - a sea of T shirts emblazoned with “Moustche rides 25¢” and a month of parties celebrating an often misjudged piece of facial hair, or facial flare as I like to call it.

The concept behind Movember is quite simple: change the face of men’s health by changing the faces of men.  Those men (Mo Bros)  blessed with the gift of the fuzz opt to put down their razors for 30 days and grow a moustache  (a Mo) while raising funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer. Ladies (Mo Sistahs) can also get involved by supporting their men, joining teams, or registering themselves and throwing Mo parties. As a gal who holds fundraising close to her heart (if you’re going to party, why not do so while raising money for someone who needs it), I find the reach of the campaign and the awareness brought to Prostate Cancers by Movember rather inspiring. Do you remember when the most exciting accessory in November was a cable knit scarf?  Or when November was still called November? Well you should, because it wasn’t that long ago. In just 6 short years the campaign that started “over a few beers in Melbourne Australia” has raised over $47 million dollars worldwide and spans across Canada, the US, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands and Finland. Trust the Aussies to come up with a party that lasts a month and has not-so-subtle undertones of perversion. 

For all the official rules, guidelines and more about the Movember story or how to get involved, check out the 2010 Movember Canada Video Below:

And they know how to use them!  If you’ve somehow already tired of the knitted fashions that have barely settled onto store shelves, or simply like to plan your vacation wardrobe in Portofino months in advance, get yourself to LG Fashion week which kicks off today at Heritage Court in Exhibition Place. Showcasing the Spring 2011 collections of Canada’s newest and brightest designers, LG Fashion week promises to be a non-stop leg and fashion extravaganza from now until the last set of false eye-lashes hits the floor this Friday evening. Hosted by the Fashion Design Council of Canada, LG Fashion Week is now in it’s 12th year and is the 2nd largest in North America. Toronto plays host to the event both in Spring and Fall.

With over 30 shows over 6 days, there is something for everyone on the fashion spectrum, from neophyte and zealot alike. A week long pass to the shows goes for $475- a bargain when you consider the bragging rights that come with a closet full of spring fashions long before you’ve begun to worry about the inch of hors d’oeuvres you padded your hips with over the holidays. For the less fashion obsessed, tickets to individual shows start at $25, but are being ordered up by the minute so hurry before they’re all gone.  If you’re more of a party gal, and would rather get all dolled up for a good cause and enjoy a few cocktails as fashion week winds down, head to the Dare to Wear Love Gala , the fashion week closing party in Support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation this Friday the 22nd.  At $60, you can’t beat supporting community based organizations helping to fight HIV/ AIDS in Africa.

If you happen to miss any of the shows, or prefer to stay home and read the roundup from the experts, the girls at Front Row Mag will be there for every last stilettoed minute of it,  & are your source for anything and everything LG Fashion Week. 

All kinds of them. In an effort to maintain the integrity of this wee little blog, we here at Where’s Walda made the executive decision to take an electronic vacation this past week and spare you a series of posts that undoubtedly would have felt like they should have started with “Dear Diary…”

During said week, many MANY different avenues were explored across this fine city- some of which were culinary, some athletic, several cultural and others we’ll just go ahead and skip right over. The highlight of this week of adventures in Toronto most certainly has to be the current David Hoffos exhibitScenes from the House Dream at MOCCA, the Museum of Canadian Contemporary Art.

After practicing every Where’s Walda word preached this afternoon (coffee at Blondie’s, attuning with nature on a stroll through Trinity Bellwoods Park), this over caffeinated blogger and her favorite Sunday companion happened upon the Hoffos exhibit.  Happy to take shelter from our self induced storm of caffeine anxiety & focus our new found energy, we headed in. We were greeted with the pleasant surprise that admission to  MOCCA is free for the remainder of 2010, thanks to the generous support of the Hal Jackman Foundation.

Now, I am not sure whether the effects of this exhibit on our Sunday duo were due solely to it’s genius,  or perhaps a mix of genius, sensory deprivation & a combined total of 6 americanos between our pair.  No matter which it was,  the end result was the same for both - awe. After entering the museum we passed through a dark curtain and began a “meandering journey“  of between 15 and 20 framed vignettes where Hoffos “explores the uncanny and its relationship to the everyday”.  He achieves this by having the viewer pass through a blacked out tunnel and enter into a completely darkened chamber filled with white noise. The viewer stops at each framed vignette, where moving images are projected into mirrored framed dioramas. The end result is an utterly surreal experience in which the viewer is left practically reaching into the scenes to understand the depth achieved in a space which in most cases is no larger than a shoebox. Add to this moving human projections that appear to float in the air along your tour, and you might swear someone spiked your latte. Scenes from the House Dream runs in the Main Space at MOCCA until December 31, 2010 and nothing typed here will do it justice. So grab yourself a latte from next door (just one though) and explore it for yourself. You will not be disappointed.

Your mom’s sweet potatoes, food comas, the changing leaves, football.  These are the dreams that this deliciously gluttonous holiday is made of. For the first time in 9 years this bloggerina will not be cooking, as turkey prepared with the use of one arm would undoubtedly taste like shoe leather. So, what to do with an entire long weekend free from the shackles of basting? I’ll tell you what to do: 

1. Attune with Nature

It is a scientific fact that fall colors are proven to cure the blues. Ok, perhaps not scientifically entirely accurate per se, but show me someone who doesn’t love the fall and I’ll show you a curmudgeon (see what I did there?). This city has no shortage of parks, trails and paths to head out and visit this weekend. And with temperatures hovering between 18 and 21 all weekend, who could ask for a better way to spend your time off? 

Is yours a Westside Story? Head to High Park to kick up some leaves, stroll through the Chinese gardens or canoodle with your sweetheart wrapped in plaid under a tree. Walk the line between West and Central? Both Christie Pitts and Trinity Bellwoods promise to be littlered with a sea of downtown’s funkiest and most attractive party-goers and parents alike, all enjoying the last of the warm weather in style.  Eastbound and Down? Get thee to Riverdale Farms where free admission to see piglets and farmer’s markets will get you in the full spirit of fall.  Uptown girl, livin’ in an uptown world? Take a walk through Alexander Muir Gardens, where you’ll undoubtedly catch a wedding party posing in this tranquil little parkette for a photo opp.

2.  Let your Hair down

Trust - once your lungs have sufficiently oxygenated, you’ll want to. And why wouldn’t you? You work hard. You deserve to play hard and I assure you,  there are no shortage of bars just dying to cash in on your 3 day weekend.  For those who appreciate a cold pint in the sunshine and crisp fall air, these patio institutions will be only too happy to take you in before the sun goes down:

Ronnie’s Local in Kensington never disappoints on a sunny Sunday, and it often seems like half the clientele from Saturday night wake up, roll over and head right on back at the crack of 11.The Black Bull on Queen West can be guaranteed to milk the last of the patio weather, catering to suburban tourists and tired shoppers. Monday to FridayThe Pilot is typically packed with a marketing mix, but on the weekend this metallic mid town enclave makes for the perfect midday meeting point for a cold one. If visiting The Rebel House you’ll have to order food in order for the less than cheerful staff to serve you pints on this back garden patio mid day, but it’s worth it. Go Rebel eggs and never look back. What to do on Sunday when you realize you grossly underestimated how celebratory three days off can truly be? Fear not. Head on over to the Steam Whistle Brewery and pick up a couple wobbly pops whenever you run out - they’re open Saturday, Sunday and Monday 12-5. 

3.  Learn to Knit

For those happiest at home, or choosing to embrace Sober October. Random? Absolutley! Sexy? Definitely not, but how great will you look on Christmas morning or day 3 of Hanukkah when your mom (of sweet potato fame) unwraps the two-toned scarf you knit herover the course of several hangovers? Am I wrong?  Put those Sundays on the couch to good use this fall. For an introductory lesson, head over to  The Knit Cafe for Knitting 101 and take a 4 session course for $96, or a single class crash course for $30. Make your momma smile this Christmas, and save a few scruples while you’re at it by D.I.Y. gifting.

However you choose to spend your freedom this weekend, remember to be thankful you’ve got it, and for the people who love you, for the people you love, the roof over your head, and the feast on your table.  With that I bid you good eating- Happy Turkey Day!

-WW