Thursday, January 31, 2008

Rediscovering the Room

Toronto Fashionistas should make tracks over to The Room at the Bay on Queen. There are racks of designer pieces at 50-70% off -- including some DIVINE Rachel Roy dresses! But perhaps the best thing about visiting is the chance to chat with Roberto, a man who knows fashion and has charm and wit to go-go along with it. Apparently, the venerable fashion institution (we're talking the Bay of course) is going through a re-genesis of sorts at the behest of new management, and we are pleased with the apparent focus on customer service. Can't wait for my next visit!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Creativity Cures Mid-Winter Blahs!

I often need to be reminded of just how many wonderful and creative people there are in Toronto. Case in point: my wonderful friend Barb Symons (www.barbsymons.com), whose Mussels & Monoprints workshops help so many people get in touch with their artistic natures. Barb entertains small groups in her studio (she whips up fabulous pizza and martinis!), and participants play with colours and shapes and essentially learn the basics of printmaking. These days, when we're all so obsessed with technology, it's so important to get back to the basics of human connection. The immediacy and spontaneity of just messing around printmaking with someone as much fun as Barb is really what the good life's all about!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Going...Going...Gonzo!

Okay, you're all shopped out after Christmas...too bad 'cause January sales in Toronto are awesome. Rina's Boutique in Hazelton Lanes and on Steeles (West of Yonge) are clearing the fall-winter collection of shoes, boots, etc. and if you have a shoe fetish I GUARANTEE there will be something there to tantalize your eyeballs, even if your size has already been scooped up! Finishing Touches on Yonge is always a fabulous place to check out what's fashionable and wearable and their last chance 70% off selection is dwindling by the minute! Finally, you really should do yourself a favour and call me for a guided tour of what's great in my neck of the woods, because honestly -- the best in fashion at the best price is north of the 401!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Heated in Housewares

Last week I needed to buy a new mattress cover -- not exactly MY idea of great shopping but whatever...I went to Home Outfitters where I had to repel off the high shelves (I'm short!) to get the size I needed. There was absolutely no one around to help me and the department looked like a mess, quite frankly. The folks at HBC should take note: Bed Bath & Beyond has opened in Richmond Hill and in the first flush of business it's all about service in there! You can't step two feet into the store without running into a helpful staff person. Whether they know anything about their products remains to be seen.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Great Service, Great Shoes, Great Sale!

For those of you who haven't discovered the joys of shopping on the Avenue Road strip north of Lawrence, get off your butts and get on up! I can never resist a visit to InStyle Shoes--truly an outstanding selection with something to appeal to every taste. I bought a Co-Lab handbag there in October, which by December needed to be sent back to the manufacturer for repair, and they could not have been nicer about handling the whole thing. (Incidentally, if the folks at Christopher Kon happen to stumble upon this entry, I thank you too.) Anyway, it's sale time and there's PLENTY to tantalize your feet and eyeballs! Tell 'em you read it on Talkshopping!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Happy New Year in Montreal

What can I say about my hometown except ... je t'aime toujours!

Now that the post-Christmas markdowns are in effect, no one who plans to be in Montreal in the next little while should deny themselves retail therapy. We recently visited Sarah Pacini (www.sarahpacini.com) in Les Cours Mont-Royal ( a BIG KISS and thank you to Yvan, Rachel and friends...) and my advice is to get there quickly as the line is truly amazing and sizes are becoming more limited as the clearance items move out!

Also hit Aqua Skye on Crescent St. (www.aquaskye.com) for my earring fix, Specchio on Mountain St. for shoes, some of the fab-o shops on Sherbrooke in Westmount (hello Intermix!) and ogled shops on Laurier but ran out of shopping time, can you believe it?!