Wonderstruck

And I certainly was. Young Ben after suffering the untimely loss of his librarian mother in Minnesota and the loss of his hearing embarks on a journey to find his father and his roots in New York. The story also juxtaposes the story of young Rose, daughter of a silent movie star and deaf herself plus cabinets or boxes of wonders, the Museum of Natural History, dioramas and serendipity. Charming and heartwarming.

I was also wonderstruck at the launch of the Holistic Vanity line by Kristen Ma of Pure and Simple fame. There were anti inflammatory snacks and teas courtesy of David's. Her informative and casual talk at the Bata Shoe Museum was all about calming the skin - as a sensitive sister I can relate. Most specifically addressing rosacea - what it is, how to deal with it - including cooling foods - especially from an Ayurvedic perspective - plus provided travel size samples of the new product - just in time for my Texas trip. There were also prize draws and a few lucky people took home goodies like cosmetics from Jane Iredale, the Holistic Vanity line, Zip Car memberships and yoga wear from One Tooth.  I already love the Camellia Oil. Can't wait to try the rest - especially since the spa is located a little too conveniently downstairs in my building :)

. Check out www.holisticvanity.ca

Really Pretty

 As you may know I do like girly things and I had decided some time ago to visit Pretty Beauty and Books on Markham Street here in Toronto...just south of Bloor, same block as Southern Accent - if that helps you...

I adore trying out new colours and perfumes and these are especially lovely and healthy. They described themselves as "your clean and green beauty counter". Nice.  The lipstick is by Ilia - a Vancouver based line and the tube itself is made of recycled metal with recycled plastic in the interior. And the lipstick or rather "pure lip care" - it's lovely, creamy with beautiful shades - the one I chose (and that was in stock is - "Nobody's Baby"...I wonder if that was Sheila Copps inspired. LOL. As you can see from the blurry photo it's a nice nude shade...I'm waiting for a pretty pink/mauve shade to come in (Blossom Lady)...pink is all the rage in the cosmetic world's spring palette. I think the "Shell Shock" shade looks great too - the proprietor confessed it was one of the only lipsticks where she had ever scooped out the remaining colour from the bottom with a lip brush. I'm not a big lipstick fan - I prefer glosses - but I think this may convert me, especially since it's so soothing!

I also sampled the Tallulah Jane perfume line - which is based in New York and is natural. I am partial to Tallulah and Leotie right now but have the 333 and Gotham as samples as well. I also admired their line of Scotch nail polishes - non toxic and friendly and they come in amazing colours - the colour below is called "Seething Jealousy" - other names include "Kiltlifter" - red in time for Valentine's! They also sell the RMS Beauty line - a raw product line which features lip and cheek tints and a cult favourite illuminator and even offer classes on how to use your newly acquired goodies. 

Visit them online at www.shoppretty.ca. or visit them at 587 Markham Street. The proprietor - Andrea? was also reading an interesting book "The Encyclopedia of the Exquisite" written by a former Vogue staffer....two of my fave things books and beauty!

Speaking of beauties the Satin Dolls will be at Trane Studio tonight - billed as Toronto's only female jazz vocal quartet - and features the talents of Illana Waldston, Liz Tansey, Donna Green and Karen Bell.

I would be remiss if I didn't congratulate all the amazing Juno nominees announced this week including Diana Panton and Fern Lindzon for vocal jazz album, Hilario Duran and Jane Bunnett for best Contemporary Jazz Album along with Phil Dwyer. Dave Young's Quintet, Kirk McDonald's Orchestra and of course one of my fave saxophonists - Mike Murley! The entire list is below thanks to the Ottawa Citizen.



. CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Rest of the Story, Chris Tarry (Nineteen Eight)
New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges, Colin Stetson (Constellation/Outside)
Idiosyncrasie, François Bourassa Quartet (Effendi/Sélect)
Cuban Rhapsody, Hilario Duran & Jane Bunnett (Alma/Universal)
Changing Seasons, Phil Dwyer Orchestra feat. Mark Fewer (Alma/Universal)

TRADITIONAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Aspects of Oscar, Dave Young Quintet (Modica/Independent)
Verge, David Braid (Independent)
Deep Shadows, Kirk MacDonald Orchestra (Addo)
Still Rollin’, Mike Murley Septet (Cornerstone/Outside)
Live In Baden, Oliver Jones (Justin Time/EMI)

VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
To Brazil With Love, Diana Panton (Independent/eOne)
Two Kites, Fern Lindzon (Independent)
Le carré de nos amours, Sonia Johnson (Effendi/Sélect)
In The Moonlight, Sophie Milman (eOne)
Skin Tight, The Nylons (Linus/Universal)

Coming clean

As in making a vow to remove certain things from my diet - i.e. overdosing on sugar and wheat -so, I'm try to eat more raw foods, green juices etc. etc. - so far, so good...of course part of this is wanting to lose weight but also actually to have more energy and feel better - especially during the depths of winter here in T.O. I have also been less than stellar about my vegan diet, so new incentive.

I now have a dehyrdator and so have been making kale chips constantly and have even tried my hand at crackers - next up - some cookies from Diana Stobo - I think they are double chocolate..oops maybe after I have been off sugar for a while.

I have kind of been hibernating of late - doing a lot of reading - both for pleasure and enlightenment - like "Why Meditate" and "Spirit Junkie" - plus the melancholy Swede  - one Kurt Wallender in "The Troubled Man" by Henning Mankell. It's the last book featuring that character. It was an ending for "Chuck" this week...sniff, sniff - I will miss everyone at the BuyMore...how cool is it that "Jeffster" saved the day? LOL.
I noticed they slipped in another Canadianism in a previous episode Lester (Vikay Patel - who IS Canadian)          was asked by Casey to do something for his country and he replied "Canada"? So then they showed him suited up with "O Canada" playing...too funny!

Jazzwise - there will be a "retirement" party on February 1st at the Rex for Katie Malloch - the much loved jazz host on CBC - the band looks incredible - Don Thompson, Mike Murley, Barry Elmes, Reg Schwager, Mark Eisenman and Diana Panton on vocals!

And it that wasn't enough in jazz riches - why the Daniel Jamieson Quintet is on at 9:30!

Oribe Hair Care

I am now hooked on Oribe hair care - thanks to my stylist Sandro at Pop Hair - the styling creme is wonderful! It gives great hold and body and definition without the crunchy texture of my old Deva Curl gel - even the next day - the hold is still there. I also am in love with the conditioner - my scalp feels hydrated and it gives enough conditioning without weighing my hair down - I can't way to try the shampoo. Aside from the the containers are elegant and gorgeous - the shampoo and conditioner bottles are also different shapes so no problem when you're fumbling for the right one in the shower.

I am also trying out Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate which is lovely. I adore their Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Products - delicious scent but not overpowering and very moisturizing. I like the scrub alot too, I love sugar scrubs but find alot of product is lost, i.e.seems to melt....Kiehl's has ingeniously but their  exfoliant in a cream base in a tube. Smart.

Last night was another great Toronto Arts and Culture meetup -with the Queen West Arts Crawl - starting at Twist Gallery - "New World Order" - I loved one of the paintings called "Pancakes" - a shiny acrylic and resin mix - a turquoise background and colourful circles - it made me very happy. Then onto Alison Milne's gallery on Walnut - a great new space with emerging artists, then onto Krumpler on Queen to check out some  heavy duty backpacks and luggage in fun colours - that will be a go to spot when I need a brand new bag.

We trekked down to St. Stanislau Catholic Church on Denison next and got a fascinating history lesson on the Polish community in Toronto - specifically its origins in what was known as "The Ward". The church was a former Presbyterian one and with declining attendance in the early 20th century was purchased by beer baron Mr. O'Keefe. Interestingly the Polish Credit Union had it's beginnings in the church as well...in the bad old days as recent as the 1950's it was pretty much impossible for new immigrants to get loans from banks - hence the need for their own financial institution. Eventually the Polish community has moved westward to Roncesvalles and further - Mississauga and Brampton.

The only low point was my veggie burger at Shanghai Cowgirl when we socialized afterwards - it was like cafeteria food - a lacklustre Yves burger on a white bread bun. I know you can do better...I guess I have been spoiled by good veg burgers at my fave veg restaurants and places like Craft Burger and Hero - which do good ones.

By the way, loving the new dehyrdator - making tamari almonds as I write. I have also made flax crackers and a couple of rounds of kale chips...it makes it difficult to comtemplate buying them again.

We have a new TV, a Toshiba 40" - and I'm enjoying some old sitcoms like "Mary Tyler Moore" and "Rhoda" - I love Rhoda's wardrobe so funky and colourful - I understand that raw cookbook author and icon Mimi Kirk had something to do with that look!

New Year's Eve at Rawlicious

This is my glass of champagne - and those are pomegranate seeds which provided some extra entertainment during the meal - they would sink to the bottom fill up with bubbles and bob back up again...

I neglected to take photos of all the menu items but they were delish - first up a Roasted  Red  Pepper Soup with Olive Sesame Bread sticks - a chili kick from that creaminess, then the Mixed Greens with Candied Pear Slices, Walnuts and Cranberry Vinagrette, next the Macadamia Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes on a Basil Blankette - would love to know how they make the "blankette" - so chewy and fun - there is a photo of that...

 Next on the menu AlmondRomesco Dumplings  with Lemon Relish....

And finally for dessert the decadent Maple Cream Cannoli with Candied Walnuts and Coconut Whipped Cream....

For the piece de resistance - the Paul Morrison Trio for some great jazz - Paul was one of our "Jazzology" guests when he attended Humber and a raw foodist - he works for "Rawlicious" - hopefully he tells me jazz will be a regular thing at this location - which is gorgeous - located at 2122 Bloor Street West - between High Park and Runnymede stations. I am always impressed by the quality of Rawlicious' menu items and kudos to the chef that night who rightfully came out for her acknowledgement. One of my intentions for the New Year is to go raw and what a great way to start. 

I should note that the Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra is on at the Rex this week from Wednesday to Saturday at 9:30 and features the great P.J. Perry alongside many of Canada's finest musicians. 

Spring Fling

Yes, we can dream can't we.? And yes, that isn't a typo
that is my name on the poster with that illustrious group - I have committed to singing a number...gulp. Exciting stuff and I'm very grateful to Julie McGregor, the organizer and a fine vocalist and artist to boot.  As you can see on the bill are Maureen Kennedy (one of my fave people), Laura Marks, Neil Kristian Parent and jazz poet Chris Hercules - accompanied by the legendary Norm Amadio and bassist extraordinaire Duncan Hopkins...

Mark the date - March 10th at Trane Studio..8 p.m., $15 Cover - I believe I have the link to Trane on the right side of my blog..if not I will put it there.

Saw two wonderful movies over the season - the delightful "The Artist" a homage to the silent film era - it's a silent film and I bet you are saying "Subtitles? Is she kidding me"? Trust me you'll be totally engrossed - the leads are wonderful Jean Dujardin as Georges Valentin and Berenice Bejo as ingenue Peppy Miller. Charming.

The other movie selection was more traditional Hollywood seasonal blockbuster - the action packed "Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol"...will have you on the edge of your seat - particularly the scenes on the side of the hotel in Dubai..yikes.

What am I doing New Year's Eve? Well, there will be jazz involved and also delicious food at the new Rawlicious on Bloor (2122 Bloor Street West)...a great way to usher in the New Year, a five course meal and jazz...will post pics later.

New do

As the New Year approaches it is a time for resolutions and one of my lately was to return to my former hairstylist Sandro - proprietor of Pop Hair on Richmond..and I'm soooo glad I did...what was I thinking, flirting with all these other brief affairs all over town...many a good salon but nothing quite gelled...I don't know what made me leave in the first place....the grass is always greener I guess.

He is looking very trim, having taken the vegetarian plunge and as acerbic and funny as ever. Let this be a lesson to me...I had to look good to go into the holiday season and most importantly "Jingle Bones' tonight.!