Best sneaker hot-spots in Toronto

Toronto is an awesome big city with a lot of street culture and, of course it is the city of Drake. As a sneaker collector and enthusiast, my most important mission was to figure out where to cop my next sneakers. So, let me make your life easier and give you the ultimate guide on where to cop your next pair of sneakers in TO.

Located on Richmond and Jarvis, Haven is one of the biggest high-end fashion, streetwear and sneaker stores in TO. It always scores the most prominent sneaker releases and is definitely one of my top choices.

                                                     @havenshop

                                                                              @exclucity

Exclucity is one of my top choices as well as they have a better selection for women. They have 2 locations, Queen St and Yonge. I would mostly recommend the store on Queen St as they have two floors and the STATUS department which has a more exclusive selection.

TNT – The New Trend located in the Yorkville Village, is one of the most prominent fashion consignment stores in Toronto. They get a lot of the high-end releases but doesn’t have a too wide selection as they mostly focus on high-end clothing.

Close by you will find Capsule which also has an exclusive selection and has a cool glass design with lots of light in the store.          

@capsuletoronto

Go to Spadina to find Livestock and Adrift. Both stores has a cool underground vibe.

                                                                 @livestockcanada

The Eaton Centre also has a nice selection with the Footaction store, a classic Nike store and the women’s shoe department in the Eaton Centres Nordstrom has a nice marked-up sneaker area with girly decorations and design.

        @adidasorginals @adriftshop @footactiontoronto

@niketo @off_white_toronto @tntfashion

UNZIPPED BRINGS ART AND ARCHITECTURE TO TORONTO

Unzipped is a new exhibition right at the heart of Toronto

So, while I was surfing for something to do this weekend, I found something rather interesting. Unzipped, an exhibition organized by Canadian development firm Westbank, is here in Toronto until the end of November so if you enjoy art and design, you should not miss this opportunity.

The Unzipped Wall: a work of modern art and architecture

The Pavillion hosts the Unzipped exhibition

The main attraction of the exhibition is the 2016 Serpentine Pavilion, dubbed the “Unzipped Wall”, by famed architect Bjarke Ingels. I may not be an architecture expert but you do not need much expertise to see how amazing this is. The impressive Pavillion, made of 1802 stacked fibreglass bricks, seems to flex, bulge and bend like a piece of silk while the hollow bricks make it look both clear and opaque at the same time. It is more akin to a modern work than a hosting venue, a thing to behold indeed.

Unzipped Toronto: a look at modern cities

The exhibition displays plans for future projects

Even though the Pavillion is more than enough reason to come, Unzipped also displays many other projects by Ingels. One of them is the Lego centre in Billund recreated in real Lego bricks. Another is a massive and breathtaking low-rise building being planned right here on King Street, Toronto. All represent how architects see our future cities should be.

How do you get here?

A closer look of the magnificent Pavillion

The exhibition is at King and Brant Streets and opens free to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but you have to register first. The exhibition is held outdoors so brings a warm coat. Also, bring your camera and have fun.

Netflix Reviews

Food, Nutrition & Stress

Food and Nutrition Blog

Food & Nutrition is something that is a part of our daily lives and it’s important we keep them balanced and in check. It often becomes difficult with all our daily challenges and stresses. 

Stress can directly impact your
nutrition but moderation is key.
The ideals for beating stress
through nutrition is to avoid
common problems. Indigestion,
bloating, caffeine dependency,
cravings are all common problems.

Stress often induces bad habitssuch as drinking too much coffee, eating the wrong foods, skipping meals, or possibly over eating. The most harmful of these stress induced habits is lack of water intake. Forgetting to drink water is the worst thing you can do to yourself or choosing caffeinated drinks instead. Part of our stress-induced cravingsinclude cravings for foods that can counteract stress but can have a poor impact on your nutrition. 

 

Stress induced symptoms vary, for some stress shuts down their appetite and for others their appetite goes into overdrive. Everyone is different but it’s important to remember to avoid common mistakes when under a load of stress. 

Too much or too little of anything can be extreme and take a toll on the body. For example, too much caffeine can lead to poor concentration and lower productivity. Poor nutrition can cause many health problems so it’s important to eat a balanced diet.

Key words: food, nutrition, stress

A Day in Hamilton

Hamilton used to be known as a lunch-bucket town but over the last decade it has been rediscovering its identity as a hub for arts and culture. Millennials flock to the city for its cheap eats, opportunities to get out in nature and youthful energy. Having lived in Hamilton for 21 years, I know my way around the city pretty well and can direct you to some of the best spots to eat, shop and the best sights to see. Here is my guide to a perfect day in Hamilton.

10 a.m. – Breakfast

Breakfast at Motel

A Hamilton staple, Motel is located on the burgeoning Barton Street. Specializing in all day brunch this is the perfect place to start your day and snap a great photo for Instagram. Be sure to get here as close to 10 as possible to avoid a long wait. My favourite is the Charred & Smashed Avocado Croissant. You can check out the rest of their menu here.

11a.m. – Shopping & Lunch

The Pale Blue Dot Storefront

A short walk over to James Street North and you stumble upon a myriad of shops, cafes and art studios. One stop I recommend making is The Pale Blue Dot. This is a great place to find alternatives for single-use products such as bamboo utensils and toothbrushes, glass and metal straws, and an array of other sustainable, locally-made items.

Synonym Café

Also worth checking out if you need an afternoon pick-me-up is Synonym Shop, a "café-resto-bar-bookshop" serving up some tasty eats and even tastier coffee.

2 p.m. – Hike

Christie Lake Conservation Area

While Hamilton is fondly referred to as “Steeltown”, the city is home to some really beautiful hiking trails. Located just outside of the city centre, Christie Lake Conservation Area is a beautiful place to spend the afternoon. Home to 10 km of recreational trails that are accessible any time of the year, the Conservation area is sure to have something for everyone, whether you are looking for a quiet stroll through nature or are feeling a bit more adventurous and want to do some cross-country skiing. I love the “Round the Lake” trail (despite the fact that during my cross country years I wanted nothing more than to get off parts of this trail) since it follows right along the lake. You can get some really great photos along the trail and it’s a great workout!

5:30 p.m. – Dinner

"The Big Pickle" burger at The Ship

Another Hamilton staple, The Ship boasts some of Hamilton’s best burgers. And if you’re not a burger fan they offer a lot of other really great dishes like their Crab Poutine and the Breaded Eerie Perch & Fries. I really love their French Onion burger. It’s the perfect blend of gooey cheese, crispy bacon and sweet caramelized onions, definitely my go-to dish. They also offer some great vegetarian options on their menu. Hang around for a while after you eat and try some of the excellent local craft beers they have on tap. Their selection is always changing so there’s always something new and exciting to try!

7 p.m. – Waterfall

Smokey Hollow Waterfall

Hamilton is the waterfall capital of the world, so this day wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the 140 plus waterfalls the city is home to. Recently volunteers have been putting on light shows at falls all over the city so try to plan your trip on a day when one of the falls will be lit up. The City of Waterfalls will let you know when those dates are. You’ll get to see a beautiful show to end your day. Smokey Hollow is my favourite and the light show here never disappoints!

This doesn’t cover all of the amazing things Hamilton has to offer so I encourage you to explore the city on your own and see what you can discover for yourself. What are your favourite spots or things to do in Hamilton or in your hometown?