Toronto Mini-Break

While I trust that all you lovely readers were busy playing The Game this weekend, I headed off to Toronto to take advantage of the long weekend. Despite spending many lay-overs at Pearson (and even sleeping on the airport floor this Christmas!), I have never done a bona-fide trip to Toronto. You might recall that I canceled my trip to L'Oreal Fashion Week in the fall so that I could splurge on a Soia & Kyo winter coat, so this weekend was officially my first trip to the T dot O dot.

And what a trip it was! My gosh.

We stayed at the Drake Hotel on Queen Street West, and it definitely lived up to the hype.

I really can't stop gushing about this hotel.

The food, the atmosphere, the staff, the night-life,  etc. etc. made for a very memorable stay. 

Some other highlights of the trip included a karaoke fundraiser for Worn Fashion Journal at Cameron House, and a show at Rancho Relaxo in Chinatown, where we caught local bands Young Flux and Pirate/Rock. Mother's Dumplings on Huron and Dundas were the shit, seeing The Submarines play at The Drake Hotel Underground was a lot of fun, and the galleries on Queen Street West were a breath of fresh air.

Now on to the fashion. What is with all the beautiful people in Toronto? I mean, seriously! Everywhere I looked there were hot stylish people strolling by. I suspect they shop at Carte Blanche and Fawn, my two new favourite stores.

Keeping in mind that I had three days to explore the city, this is certainly not an exhaustive list of Toronto fashion, but rest assured I walked my butt off in search of the hottest stores on Queen Street West.

First up is 69 Vintage, located next to The Social, a bar I'm told is a preferred location for the cool kids.

This store would fit right in on the Lower East Side of NYC, with its loft-style interior and well-curated selection of vintage clothes and accessories.

Next up is Fawn at 967 Q st W, which is tops in my books.

This shop has the perfect collection of edgy, wearable and avant garde pieces. You'll find a lot of neutral dresses and blouses with unique cuts and drapping, fabulous denim, vintage heels and necklaces you could wear as a stand-alone piece, if only it was more socially acceptable to sport nothing more than a chunky chain around one's neck. I picked up a black hooded tee from Complex Geometries here, and I feel so damn good in it.

Carte Blanche, at 758 Q st W, is also multiple levels of fabulous.

I picked up a bandage skirt here and a lovely men's wool sweater, both of which I know I'll be busting out at every possible occasion.

Carte Blanche's house line Pink Cobra is sexy, edgy, and perfect for a night out. Not content to stop there, the girls will also be exclusively carrying Gareth Pugh, along with their usual roster of designers from all over the globe. 

In need of new glasses this year, I began my preliminary search at Spectacle at 752 Q st W. I'm completely smitten with a pair of vintage Cazal's, but I've received conflicting reports from friends and strangers on whether these frames are all they're cracked up to be.

A little too much turquoise plastic maybe? Let a girl know!

I picked up a shirt for my BF's t-shirt collection at Magic Pony, a must-see for those with a heart on for Japanese-influenced art. Check this boutique out at 694 Q st W.

Who would have thought that a year after Bruno's beautification in which it took us nearly eight hours in Montreal to find him that "perfect" pair of shoes, he would acquire a pair of Creative Recreation kicks in no time flat for nothing shy of $62.

The secret is Heel Boy at 682 Q st W.

Balisi at 711 Q st W isn't too shabby either. I picked up a pair of peach Vivienne Westwood heels here, and let me tell you, spring can't come fast enough.

Last up is Old Times Antiques at 607B Q st W. We found this little treasure trove in our last hour in Toronto, and I am so glad we stumbled upon it. I picked up a vintage broach and necklace, both of which were $20 each. 

Toronto was tons of fun. I'm sad that we didn't have more time to explore, but we'll just have to go back for another visit. If you have any recommendations for things to see or do, put 'em here.