May 2nd Election Day

Monday May 2nd is federal election day, so I'm encouraging people to go out to the polls.
Who/What: I've asked a few people on what's the best way to catch up on the election news, and I've found it's helpful to search the political parties platform, and read the commentary on it.

When: Citizens are legally entitled to three consecutive hours to vote, which your employer must give you. However, they decide when the employees can take the three hours.

How: And if you don't have your voters card, you can register right before you vote with the necessary id.

Where: You can find your local polling station here.

Under the banana trees in Allen Gardens

I'm loving the warmer weather! Finally! Shorts season is right around the corner since Toronto's spring is so short, but until then, we can get a sample of summer at the Allen Gardens greenhouse.

 When I told a friend that the Allen Gardens greenhouse is downtown (College & Yonge) is filled with banana trees and catcuses, and entrance is free, he replied "Are there a lot of hobos there?"

Actually, it is the exact opposite! I was there a few days ago, and a wedding reception was going on. A musician was strumming 'Over the rainbow' on a guitar while visitors squeezed around the hoards of matching bridesmaids and wedding crew. It was pretty unexpected, but it goes to show how beautiful this public-project greenhouse is. 

In the Allen Gardens, you can find exotic flowers:

You can wander around in the lush greenery:

Feel the dry heat: 

I think I saw this one before in my nightmares.

... and this photo just to wash your eyes of the creepiness above:

 You'll also notice hoards of people with dslr cameras. I had mine, and a stranger came up to me to ask "Is there a camera club, or is this just what you guys do?"

This is indeed what we do: chill under some banana trees while waiting for the full heat of summer.  

Photos: Jennifer Xu

Much sunshine and love, 

Jen.

Drake General Store: Souvenirs you'll actually want

Have your friends ever come back from vacation with a token souvenir for you, like a magnet? And you end up tossing it aside after thinking "I'm really glad they thought of me ... but this is the 40th magnet of somewhere I've never been."?

Well, the gift-giving buck stops here in Toronto. The Drake General Store downtown carries gifts with a cool spin on 'Canadiana'. It pokes fun at the idea that Canadians canoe down rivers, and hunt bears all the time.


Very old-school, no?

 Myself and Ish were excited as soon as we stepped in. I would love to gift (or gift to myself) some of our favourite items from the Bathurst+King location:

For the jewelry lover:

Where are we going? - Compass necklace, $32.

Cocks flying south, you know, just because. - by Jaime Sin in Toronto, sterling silver, $220.

Antlers on your finger. - by Biko, $26. (Linn'a favorite.)

For the foodie:

I really wish I had some in the bowl. Yum! - Poutine bowl, $24

Totem pole stacked salt and pepper shakers - by IMM in Toronto, $40

And the papa version:

Totem bowl -- 1 of 4 stacked, $105

Hoarding maple syrup - from Frankville, Ontario, $8 to $24

For going to the cottage with your buddies:

Bring your stash - by Jonathan Adler, $90.

Lumberjack plaid - Motor Robe blanket, $105.

For close, personal fun:

"Shut your mouth and take off your clothes." - Mercy cards, $20.

Lingerie designed and sewn in Toronto. Wide range of sizes up to E - by Fortnight Lingerie, $34~

Graphic, strapless bathing/body suit - by Cheap Monday $55 Jeans - by Levis and Opening Ceremony $225.

For yourself, the traveller

Where shall we explore? - Gigantic Maps, $40+

For those who love fascinating finds - Pictorial Webster's Dictionary, $42

Ask locals to draw you a map, record what you saw out of the train window. - I Was Here, $19.95 (Ishy's favorite)

Snap a photo and see a slideshow of Canadian landmarks through the pin hole - $4

Scratch off where you've been to reveal the map's colors - Map, $28 (Jen's favorite)

But most importantly, get a map to help decide where your next adventure will be, including who and what you'll bring along with you.

Thanks to the Drake General Store for opening your store to us, and Melanie from the DGS for being a welcoming host! And did you like the awesome pictures above? Linna Xu is an amazing photographer and graphic designer from Toronto. Seriously, she's awesome.

Also, tell us: what's your favourite thing you've received as a souvenir?

Much sunshine and pretty curious,

Jen, Ish, and Linna

OCTAVE: Gets your heart racing.

The cab’s flying at lightning speed through the streets, over the snow banks of late winter , to drop us off right in front of our little dancing haven for the night. But little did I expect what was inside. Instead of a murky, dark club where the ceilings were sure to sweat on me during the night, I stumbled in and I kid you not said to myself ‘ Holy Crap, its The Magic Kingdom’. Hundreds of intricate cranes hung from the ceiling along with handmade cherry blossoms while the walls were coated in massive paper flowers a la Georgia O’ Keefe. And all of it, glowing to the surreal qualities of black light.

This was all done by the very creative hands of two (+volunteers) of the coolest chicks in Toronto, Nici Villano and Morgan Ross, who have just started their party planning company OCTAVE. Tagline: Our goal above all is to get your feet stomping, your heart pounding and to support local artists. Come on out and see how we get er done.’

Let’s just say I danced so hard, I couldn’t feel my legs the next day. As for my heart, pounding and delighted. Partying in this space felt like, in a weird way…being at home…and all your friends came over ….and decked it out with cool art deco… and your favourite local dj (In this case, Toronto’s Ill Gates) came over to spin. Yes, that’s how good the ‘vibe’ created was. Cherry on top: There were performers, from hoop artists to dress up geishas (see below). I have my favourite party photographer, Andrija Dimitrijevic to thank for truly capturing the essence...

I just love the effort Nici and Morgan put in to creating a beautiful space to dance in. Their next event is a Japan Tsunami fundraiser, with 100% of the profits being donated. It’s on April 23 at Radiolaria, 1166 Dundas St. W. I asked Morgan if she had anything to add and she said ‘It’s all worth it just to see a lot of people dancing and having a great time.’ My heart just warmed up. They’ve got the great party recipe down.

Photography: Andrija D.