WinterCity Festival

This weekend, the city of Toronto launched the start of the WinterCity Festival, an annual event which started 7 years ago. It's a festival filled with what is expected of the city to offer; a showcase of an array of arts, culture and cuisine. Taking place all across the city, the festival offers visitors and Torontonians a chance to enjoy the winter season outdoors despite the freezing temperatures and any temptations to hibernate till spring comes to town.



There's an assortment of different events going on including fireworks, acrobatic performances and fire installation pieces at Nathan Phillips Square, fixed price menus at over 150 of the best restaurants in town and events and shows at different destinations all over the city, including film screenings at the National Film Board of Canada.

The festival is going on till February 10th, so there is plenty of time to indulge in what it has to offer. I had the chance to go yesterday to check out the Flaming Lotus Girls' interactive arts installation called the Angel of the Apocalypse and other performances as well. If you haven't checked it out yet, do so. It's a great way to take advantage of the city, the people and its artistic culture. I know one thing I haven't tried yet and really looking forward to is Winterlicious, where some of the finest eateries in the city are offering three course prix-fixe menus ranging from 15 to 25 dollars.

So bundle up, get out of the house and enjoy the rest of the winter!

Here are some pictures I took from Saturday:























Until next time, good night and good reading!

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2010 Couture

While many are criticizing Gaultier's Spring 2010 Couture collection as one hiding behind the theatrics and the eccentricity of the designs, I have so much respect for his artistry. I think couture is one of the only times during the fashion year where designers can showcase their true talents and let their skills really shine through. Gaultier, for me, always does this copiously. The Spring 2010 Couture collection had everything from embellished sombreros, metal armor to feathers and leaves, it was an aesthetic exhibition of what could only be resembled as a Mexican resort vacation to an outsider. To a Gaultier aficionado such as myself, it was an expressive and captivating display of talent that can only be found on the runways of Paris fashion week.

Here are my favorites from the Gaultier Spring 2010 Couture collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM





















Until next time, good night and good reading!

Chanel Spring 2010 Couture Collection

If there's one thing that gets me through the cold and frigid winter months, it is couture season. And nothing cheers me up more from the gloomy weather than seeing what the master and my favorite designer, Karl Lagerfeld, has in store for us for Chanel.

Chanel's Spring 2010 Couture collection oozes a very dream-like quality about it. Think princess a la Grace Kelly mixed with Greek goddesses and Cleopatra. Nowhere in sight where the staple Lagerfeld navies and blacks that are usually found at Chanel shows. Instead, silver and pastels were the motif for the collection. A lot different from what we're used to with Chanel (Still delightfully present though are the Chanel suits), but the collection certainly does not lose the talent in that house. The chiffon frills, the layers of tulle, the complicated stitches and the mixture of very contrasting fabrics can only come from a man and a fashion house with years of crafted technique and a talent we all wish we had.

Here are my favorites from the Chanel Spring 2010 Couture Collection (Bear with me, I liked A LOT):
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM



























Until next time, good night and good reading!

Matthew Williamson Pre-Fall 2010

Matthew Williamson never fails to disappoint me. Probably one of my top favorite designers, the English designer always seems to bring fierce and uniqueness to the runways. His pre-fall 2010 collection says that very loudly. Again, a seemingly apparent trend in the pre-fall collections, color is everywhere. Far from the typical dark colors that usually graze the runways, Williamson makes use of plenty of colors and patterns, including purples and pinks, and yes even floral. While he still uses gray as a staple pre-fall color, he mixes it up very well with pastels like the pro that he is. I must say it makes me very excited to see florals in the pre-fall collection. I like many hate to say goodbye to the sunshine and plus temperature weather, so if there's still a hint or reminiscent of that in our clothing, it keeps me happy.

Here are my favorites from the Matthew Williamson Pre-Fall 2010 Collection:
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM





















Until next time, good night and good reading!

Allan Gardens

Someone once told me that the one thing they loved most about Toronto was the fact that although it is a metropolis of ever growing condominiums, hotels and corporate buildings, it also has a great amount of parks and conserved green spaces. I can definitely attest to that. I'm pretty lucky enough to be living next door to both a park and a botanical garden/greenhouse even though I live in the heart of the city and at one of the busiest streets in the downtown core.



Located right on Carlton and Jarvis, at Allan Gardens Park, the Allan Gardens Conservatory is a greenhouse that houses plants from all over the world. The greenhouse has everything from tropical plants, such as palm trees and banana trees, to all different kinds of cacti. Admission is free to the garden and a perfect place to spend a couple of hours taking pictures. One of the main reasons I went was to test out my new camera and it definitely is a haven for photographers, both amateurs and professionals. If you're looking to escape the honking horns of the city or a great backdrop for your next photoshoot, Allan Gardens is a great place to go.

Here are some pictures I took during my visit:



























Until next time, good night and good reading!