Mikhael Kale: Rocker Chick and Folding Napkins

events, Fall 2014, Fall Winter 2014, folding napkins, Mikhael Kale, napkins, Toronto Fashion Week, WMCFW, World Mastercard Fashion Week

The tents may have been freezing, but World MasterCard Fashion Week kicked off yesterday afternoon with Mikhael Kale’s show in the studio space.  The collection was full of ruffly embellishments, inspired napkins, as well as metals (the napkin ring).  In many ways, it was also a little bit “rocker chick.”   The colours were a […]

Chopped Canada 11: Licorice, Chocolate Candies and Anglo-Franco Persuasion

The March 13 airing of Chopped Canada brought us two Ontario chefs and two from Quebec – the classic Anglo-Franco rivalry.  The two Ontario contestants were from Toronto, while the Quebec chefs were from Gatineau and Montreal, respectively. Chia seeds The round was fairly competitive right away, with the chefs getting to work on appetizers […]

The shOws Recap: A Tale of Schoolgirls, Bulky Looks and a Snowmageddon

The Shows, the shOws, Steven Tai, Fashion, Canadian Designers, Storys Building

For the Fall 2014 season, Toronto’s OTHER major fashion event, The shOws, moves to the Storys Building in the Adelaide and University area, not too far from the Tents of World Mastercard Fashion Week.  As usual, there were delicious appetizers (mini tacos, pulled pork sliders and donuts, to name a few) and cool swag from […]

Chuck Hughes on Mexican Cuisine (Plus a Scallops Recipe)

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Montreal-based chef and Chopped Canada judge, Chuck Hughes (also of Chuck’s Day Off).  He was in Toronto to speak at an event at the Art Gallery of Ontario about Mexican travel (which he says he goes yearly) and Mexican food (for The Taste of Mexico).  With […]

Forbidden City Exhibit at the ROM

I’ve always wanted to learn more about my heritage.  OK, so I have no aristocratic roots (I’m not Lady Mary, here!), but Chinese history, even if it has nothing to do with my background due to my (mostly) peasant roots is still is very interesting, so I was really excited when I received an invitation […]

Let’s EMBRACE Bossy!

So Sheryl Sandberg wants the term “bossy” banned from our vocabulary (very surprised, because she’s the LAST PERSON .  What’s the deal with banning terms anyway  First, it was “plus sizes” and now, “BOSSY?”  Can’t we just learn to EMBRACE the term?  “Bossy” doesn’t have to be negative.  It can be very empowering, giving people […]

Chopped Canada Episode 10: No Dish Unplated…or Not

I have never seen this happen before – a chef NOT being able to plate anything for the judges!  One of the contestants, “freaked out” towards the end with what he made, and presented a plate with nothing but garnish.  He had intended to make a passion fruit crepe (mandatory ingredients were nutmeg, biscuit mix, […]

Savoury Pancakes for Dinner? Why Not?

It was Shrove Tuesday earlier this week, a day where many people eat crepes or pancakes.  Though in North America, we tend to think of pancakes as a breakfast food, there’s no rule saying that one can’t make them savoury, and therefore a good side for lunch or dinner.  I decided last minute to make […]

Two Sides of Sydney, Australia

Normally, I think of cities as characters; London is a well-established gentleman and Paris is a pretty girl with surprising sophistication. Sydney, I can’t quite define.  On one hand is a formal, conservative city. Common hearsay is that Melbourne is the cultural capital and Sydney the capital of business.  On the other hand, Sydney is […]

Spring Beauty Renewal and Some Easy, Lightweight Favourites

Spring is coming up.  Many women take advantage of the new season to revamp their look.  Some might buy new, stylish clothes to mix with the classics in their closet.  Others look into accessories.  For me, it is definitely beauty.  It is out with the heavy, intense looks of fall and winter and in with […]