A Wink And A Smile

 Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one! It got on at 42nd and off at 59th, where, I assume, it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake, as almost all hats are.

- Kathleen Kelly, You've Got Mail

Happy long weekend everyone! It's the perfect time to create incredible memories among family and friends while at the same time, having the wonderful opportunity to unwind into the comforts of one's pleasures and small dreams reserved for hours like these.

It's a gorgeous Saturday evening. There's a spring in my step and a lightness in my heart.
Spring in Toronto is beautiful- the buds are appearing on the trees, the grass is green, and there's a flurry of activity taking place down at the Harbourfront. I hear the cherry blossoms in High Park are beginning to bloom, and I find myself getting into the old habit of stepping into one of  my favourite bookstores to pick out one or two (or five) books, picking up my favourite flowers, dropping by my usual cafe for tea, strolling down the Distillery District or the AGO... this simple routine I find,  is the cure for anything.

Listen:

Come warmer weather, I want to dance under the stars with this song playing in the background. Care to join?

Film:

I can tell you right now that I don't ever think I will ever appreciate the Romantic Comedies of this day and age. But by god, weren't they amazing in the '90s! I'm talking about One Fine Day, Sleepless in Seattle, While You Were Sleeping, When Harry Met Sally, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, My Best Friend's Wedding, and it goes on. One stands out in particular to me and I find myself going back to it time and again (I've probably watched it a few times and never has it lost its magic):

You've Got Mail, starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks:

It's got to be New York in the Fall, the constant presence of books and bookshops which fill up almost every scene:

"|The Shop Around the Corner" would have been paradise to eight year old me.

It's the reference to Pride and Prejudice, the ability to relate to Kathleen in some moments when it comes to being a hopeless romantic, how Joe and Kathleen look at each other as they deny the inevitable, the songs throughout the film which capture moments perfectly.
It's the Brownstone and its interior- I adored the decor  and how it houses a piano, a typewriter, and wall-to-wall bookshelves:

And yes, daisies are the friendliest flowers. Best of all, it's the way the film ended, on a warm sunny day like what we're about to experience in a month's time.

I always feel so good after I watch this film- like I can't wait to start a new day with the hope that things will be okay and that within the ordinary of everyday things, comes the unexpected.
It's crazy to think that someone you pass by on the street, or on the train, or in the coffee shop you drop by regularly, could possibly be the love your life, and you didn't know it. Here's to finding that wonderful person who will make you feel extraordinary.

An Wonderland Evening To Remember

People with many interests live, not only longest, but happiest.
George Matthew All

Bonjour all!

I've been incredibly busy these past few days, but not busy enough that I may update (as promised) about the fun night of the Alice in Wonderland Fundraiser and Cocktail Night!

Now, all proceeds went to Canada's Children's Literacy Fund, which was all the more spectacular. With great thanks to my good friend Tia, who graciously allowed me to take a few shots, as well as herself, we are able to share with you some great moments (and cute treats too!)
It took place in the amazing setting of Hart House's Music Hall, where upon arriving, everything was wonderfully themed, not to mention the music and the Classic Disney's Alice In Wonderland projecting from a screen above the fireplace!
Moi :)



The Queens of Hearts (my good friend is on the right...AND better yet, she won SECOND place for her costume which was handmade (not store bought) which brought even yummier bonus points!!
Throughout the evening, I thought the best parts were meeting new people and spending an amazing time your own friends. I know Tas and Tia and I had huge laughs!
When she won SECOND...haha. Actually I ended up getting something fun out of it too: Two film passes as I solved an Alice Trivia Question right!

The cake! I loved how they added all the themes and inserted it into this lovely monument of deliciousness.
The pastries were very lovely indeed!


I know I could not help myself to these ones. Unfortunately, I did not shrink, nor did I stretch at all!

My friend the Mad Hatter (and also in real life )
Some guests that attended this evening:



My two chums who make up the Three Musketeers, Tia and Tas.
I must point out that funny enough, the Alice doll Tia is holding..almost showed up everywhere in some pictures...guess it was the life of the party, haha.



Definitely events like these are really wonderful..I know there will be more to come!
And that's all for now! Ciao!

Curiouser and Curiouser!

Alice: "If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?"

Bonjour all!

March 5 will be a very important day! And why you may ask?

One of my most adored childhood tales is being brought to life with the magic touch of Tim Burton's vision, Alice In Wonderland.

How I used to dream that one day I may fall into my own rabbit hole, and awake to a world quite unlike my realistic own.

So, not only will I watch the film on premiere day in 3D, but I have also picked up my invitation to a most spectacular event that very night: The Alice in Wonderland Fundraiser and Cocktail Night.

What a day this will be, a whole day filled with Alice in Wonderland.

I love what they did for the invitation!
The backside:

It would take place at the Hart House Music Hall (which is a perfect setting for this affair) in which formal attire and costumes are welcome... you know what this means- I shall definitely dress up, channelling the spirit of Alice and her enchanting world.

I already had something in mind with the dress which is ballerina-inspired and I found something to put in my hair (thanks to Anthropologie)!

What's great about this event is that it has a noteworthy cause tied to it. The event is raising money for Children's Literacy Canada. They would also be offering beautifully illustrated special edition Alice in Wonderland print sets of five iconic moments within the story, as well as t-shirts! I think I will pick both up as portions of the sales of the t-shirts and prints will be donated to Children's Literacy.

So not only would it be a whimsical and fun affair, but also doing something great for the love of reading as well. What could be more grand than that?
I know I won't be late for this very important date!

That's all for now, ciao!

The city and all its treasures v. 2

Never let life's hardships disturb you ... no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.

Nichiren Daishonen

On a grey and dirty Tuesday in February, I came about strolling with a friend the deep immensities of beauty Toronto beholds. There was almost a Victorian-like atmosphere with the way the sky looked and the places I went, as well as being abnormally warm where I took it to be a cold day.
Stopped for lunch at La Maquette (111 King Street East) where the view was simply lovely, overlooking the St. James Cathedral, one of the most historic beauty darlings within the city.
My curiosity as usual overwhelms me and it was after lunch I very much wished to take a step into the St. James Church.
I took it to be grand, but not as such a scale as I have expected. There is something about cathedrals or churches that seem to draw away every ounce of worry in one's mind where reflection and inner spirituality then, tides over.
Oh the intricate details among such a stature of immense stronghold of magnificence.
Seeing those candles made me want to close my eyes and usher a prayer: to behold the never-ending sights and senses and hope that they will never leave me.
It was then I came across the small park where I had once mentioned before this past summer titled "Glittering. Elegant. Intrigue. Seamless." What a different theme it now holds. This sense of barren abandonment, of dabs of loss and the feeling that you can't shake off those dark clouds that linger above you.

Putting away all such negative thoughts aside, I turned to more of precious things I would thus explore, often forbidden, but nonetheless explored by moi.

A glimpse of what the city looked like, the St. James Church holding down its fort amidst a Gothic scenario.
The St. Lawrence Hall. I cannot cease to exclaim how ever so glad that we continue to preserve and hold such buildings as these within the city. Of course, the modern high rises and skyscrapers are a wonder to behold in itself, but it does not surpass the classical structures of buildings as this one, when it comes to timeless pieces of architecture.

When entering the building, my heart gave a small leap as if I came across something blissfully wonderful to be held in store. As I went up the dark-red carpeted stairs, its as if I left the year 2010 behind and went back into the 1890's. I felt as if I were really in one of those BBC classics as Sense and Sensibility or Emma where the estates that they showed equaled this amount.


A view such as this one, made me feel that I was truly back in time.
Windows with white laced curtains, honestly have me another small bliss.

I came upon the second floor and stepped into a hallway, where doors opened into this wonderful small ballroom.

I honestly thought I stepped into the set of one of Jane Austen's novels, where Lizzie or Emma would arrive to such a place to hold a ball and meet their Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightley's. I could not tell you just how immense my heart felt- it was such a rush of joy!

Even better, they still do it the old-fashioned way where all the lighting is used in gas lamps, so there were actual flames and not silly electric bulbs! By now I was bouncing.

As I slowly walked further into the room, taking this scenery all in, there stood a fireplace and a couple of chairs. Oh how I wish I brought a book and sat there, or I imagined I would paint or write, overlooking the scenery outside the window.


And how divine the light pouring through. I moved my face closer in its bathing warmth and closed my eyes, if but for a moment, absorbing this wonderful and magical place.
The view from the window. I could imagine how lovely it would be when the branches hold leaves, and summer echoes all around.
Turning around and out from the ballroom, I came across this room. Can you guess the next thing that I bounced for joy at?

An old grand piano! There is nothing that sets my heart aflame than finding a room with a piano.

I slowly let my fingers glide among the old keys, hitting a note or two to find that some were out of tune, but made me love it all the more.

I then sat down on the wooden bench, creased and scratched with age, and began to play a few simple pieces. The melodic notes and the graceful harmony of the music that rushed out into the air made me feel at ease. I knew that such a moment like this, was all it takes to know what it means to live life, to find that paradise.

Even the paintings along the walls were graced with such artworks as these. The windows portrayed such a view as this:
Eventually I left the grand piano's side and entered into another room once more, where it could easily suffice as a Reading Room or a Meeting Room of sorts. I was also quite fond of it as well.
A painting of what St. Lawrence Hall must have looked like back in the day.
Even the little details such as this, was simply wonderful.
There were more stairs to climb up and eventually another floor up or two, I came across... the Opera Atelier.
It was quite bustling with activity, a costume here and there, and the entire place was filled with music from Chopin.

Upon entering another room, there stood ballerinas practicing, stretching, and being graceful as always. I also had the opportunity to meet the stage director ,who was mightily helpful in telling about the programs coming up and little things of that sort. He was extremely kind and I was glad I had the chance to meet him.

And that's all for now, ciao!

(Note: these pictures were all taken by me, so if you wish to use one of them, feel free to contact me)