bad trip

Pic from here

So here's how my trip went down.
It kind of started off bad.
The fact that I've had to rent a car since my car broke down.
Or that I even had difficulty picking up the rental car (from the shady car rental place).

Then a rough day of work on the day we left.
Picking up Laurel from her work place.
Getting caught in traffic.

As we drove and day turned into night.
Laurel fell fast asleep.
Which sucks because I was exhausted.
So I decided to stop in Syracuse versus Utica.

Exhausted and rolling into bed.
And finding out Laurel sleeps with a sound machine.
Sounds kind of like a staticy channel turned up really loud.
So I slept like crap.

Finally making it into Boston.
After Laurel who refused to find an address and insisted she was right in directions.
So we missed eating at the lunch place that we wanted to eat at.
And I just got quiet (mainly because I was starving because I opted for a coffee only breakfast because I hate McDonald's breakfast).

We then toured Harvard University which was awesome and I got a token sweatshirt.
Then we headed to the W (which I love).
We started to get ready.
And Laurel thought the sink was broken (turned out it was not she only had the plug in activated).
Then she forgot her makeup in the car (which was parked a little a ways in valet).
The stadium was 15 minutes walk away but Laurel's boots were too uncomfortable to walk in so we cabbed it.
But totally missed the opening (one of my favourite parts of the game is the introduction of the teams).
It is the first game I've been to in a couple of years and yeah I was pretty disappointed.

After the game was over I was really looking forward to a night out in Boston (our only real night "out" on the trip).  So we snagged a seat at the bar at the W which was promptly filling up.
Laurel was tired and wasn't really in the mood but did decide to have one drink.
Then went to bed.
I stayed for one more but then decided to just head up.

The next morning I got up early to work out in the am.
When I came back Laurel let me know her one sugary drink effected her badly so we wouldn't be making the 9am tour.
So I showered and got ready and tried to figure out what to do.
We ended up going on a different (and now unresearched tour).

We thought it was weird being on a Freedom Trial tour and 90 minutes in had only visited two sites.
Now I was thinking...wow we ended up selecting the wrong kind of focused tour and not a generalized one like we wanted to originally.
Laurel was saying out loud..."this is b*llsh*t I'm asking for a refund because this is NOT the freedom trial tour"...and was saying this LOUDLY.
And I was embarrassed.
And irritated.

And the rest of our day was similarly downhill.
I'm realized in spending 24/7 with Laurel at this point in the trip that she is quite negative.
Also reminded me of my mum in complaining about everything.
It was like wearing a wet blanket all weekend long.

And it got worse.

We went to our sorority meeting where we (granted unexpectedly) had to add an extra girl to our room.
Laurel went so mean girls on this new roommate that she was in tears 10 minutes in.
Seriously.

I busied myself trying to smooth things over.
Reassuring the new roommate that she was not intruding and apologizing for Laurel behaviour.
And trying to deescalate Laurel's meangirl routine.
That by the end of the weekend I was exhausted.

There are more details that I just am too exhausted to even write out it full.
It just stinks that this may be my only trip of the year and this is how it went.
Bad trip indeed.

Road trip!

Pic from here

If you're reading this I'm on my way to Boston with Laurel!
Yay girl's trip!

Sequins and Fur

This weekend was fun and fabulous.
I already let you know I hit up my second yoga class off Passport to Prana Saturday morning.
Then I helped her go to the fabric store to help pick out blouse fabric for the Indian Wedding Sarees for her mother.

Then I headed home to shower before going downtown to meet S and E for H's birthday.
All girls from the CanadaCrew.
So S and E are currently living on a ship that's docked in Toronto 
(seriously that's a whole other story).
So that how I ended up having drinks beforehand on a ship.

Seriously they live on this ship...so we had drinks there before heading out.  Pick form here

Then we headed to Ossington street in Toronto and ended up at The Painted Lady.
And it was jam packed.
And we drank and danced and had a fun girly night out.
And I totally wore the LaRok sequined mini dress (from this post) and my fur coat (you can see a pic in this post) and generally created a scene Saturday night because of my outfit lol.

The next day I was at Laurel's place to help narrow down cake choices for the wedding.
Then they hosted a small Super Bowl party.
We had chicken wings and beer and it was a really nice relaxing and unwinding weekend.
I loved every bit of it.
Did you get up to anything fun?

Boston & Hartford

Pic from here

Super excited that Laurel and I confirmed our trip in April to Boston & Hartford.
Don't know if you noticed the new counter downer thingy at the top of the blog.
And while we have only 4 short days (5 if you include the drive).
I'm super excited to have something on the calendar to count down to.

So anyone have any suggestions of things we MUST do.
It's a first time for us both in those cities.
Yay for a girly roadtrip!

Gotta get down on Friday

So after the first full week back to work I was really looking forward to Friday.
I was stoked because the CanadaCrew girls and I had purchased a GroupOn to go see Avenue Q (a musical).
So how else would we start it off then food (obviously).

We first tried to go to Golden Turtle for Pho on Ossington.
When we got there however there was a sign saying closed for Christmas (boo).
So we headed down the street to Photien Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant.

Pic from here

We quickly all caught up and giggles and stories ensued.
I told them about my most amazing New Years in Miami.
And it was great to get out of cold rainy weather and eat yummy Pho.

Pic from here

After that we headed to the lower ossington theatre.
A smaller theatre on Ossington.

Pic from here

We grabbed glasses of wine/beer (depending on preference).
And settled in to watch Avenue Q.
I literally had NO idea what to expect.

Here's the synopsis from the playbill.
"Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who movies into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q.  There, he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (the internet sexpert), Lucy the Slut (need we say more?), and other colourful types who help Princeton finally discover his purpose in life!"

Pic from here

And we quickly found ourselves giggling away to this rather inappropriate musical.
Here is a TV friendly preview from a news station.

Here is the list of songs from the playbill...which should give you an idea to the umm adult nature of this.

We all enjoyed it immensely.

Afterward Laurel and I met up with her fiance and B and C to grab a drink and watch them play pool at Billiards Academy and Sports.
Not really my style but oh well.
As you know I've been selectively avoiding B.  
So of course he messaged me the very next day inviting me out again..."just the two of us".  
Ugh and I only say ugh because I feel extremely guilty about it.
None the less it was great to catch up with the CanadaCrew girls and I can't wait until our next adventure.

Just another random Wednesday...

It's just another random Wednesday here.
As the fun from the holidays settle and the winter blahs start to creep in here in Canada.
I LOATHE January-March here.

So with that I set about day dreaming of trips this year that I'm trying to do...
Remember this post last year???
How funny looking back on it now?!

I ended up in Florida over Easter and Christmas in 2012.
Over the long weekend in May Brooke and Jane came to Toronto but that meant I spent July long weekend in Kingston.  I ended up in Ottawa for Winterlude.
The July trip to Chicago (to see a certain handsome sailor aka Taylor's brother) ended up missing him due to getting food poisoning while on the most random 24 trip ever to Chicago with MrDentalSurgeon.
September 2012 in Dallas was BLISS!
And it was a September (versus October) in Ann Arbor where I got to meet the gorgeous and fun SoMidwestern (despite meeting her tipsy and then hung over lol...I hope to be much more fun the next time I'm in Ann Arbor!)
So what could be in store for 2013...well here are some possibilities...

Perhaps a trip to Hartford, Connecticut for a conference with Laurel...

Pic from here

That we may parlay into a trip to Boston, MA (I've never been to either!)

Pic from here

Perhaps another fun fling to Miami??? (a girl can only fantasize hope lol)

Pic from here

Dallas is a promise...I've got an adorably beautiful niece (I'm forever going to refer to her as my niece because Taylor is the sister I always wanted lol) to hold and rock!

Pic from here

Hopefully another trip to Ann Arbor for a game...if Will will have me lol.
He is in a new relationship so has fallen quiet the last little while (which usually happens).
But if I'm making the call...he's marrying this one.
So UM for a game hopefully!

Seriously their campus is like the movies!!! Pic from here

I would like to get out of North America as well...
So any low cost budget friendly ideas??? or how about a travel partner or two???
Just putting it out there lol...

Bridesmaid Attire

Here's the final decision of bridesmaid dress for Laurel's wedding next July.
We are all wearing the same fabric and colour dress but different styles.
Here's the one she picked for me...

Love the pockets!
And here is the shoes she is going with we are all wearing different colours...mine are red...

Red Nina Forbes Shoes

Obviously I love the fact that there are bows on the shoes!
It is definitely going to be a super fun wedding next July.
I can't wait to update y'all on the other clothes because they are all Indian!

Fashion Week in the TDotO

Y'all I'm slowly starting to get back into the blog groove...
Two nights this week I spent at Toronto's very own fashion week.
So here it is via my terrible iPhone pics.

So excited to walk up to the tent in David Pecault Square.
Even on a rainy night.

Val and I in front of the step&repeat...at least I think that's what it is called.

 Inside of the tent was really quite cool.
Probably the best part was the people watching and the amazing fashion.
I was so overwhelmed I barely got any pictures!

 DJ and cool light fixtures at the entrance to the runway.

 Media lounge sponsored by Canada's newest American addition...TARGET!
So excited when we spotted this.

When Val and I got to our chairs this was waiting which made it fun and exciting.
The show we were attending was Mercedes-Benz StartUp which is a contest for Canadian young designers...very much seemed exactly like Project Runway.
8 young designers...one winner that would get to show next year and get mentors.
So exactly like Project Runway minus the cashola!

I really couldn't get great pictures because of the bright lights...

at the end of the runway...(look at all the photogs!)

 Wednesday night my mum and grandma came into town to share in the fun.
Notice the new coat!

 Laurel came too so that was a great buffer.

We went to the Joe Fresh show.
It was amazing.  Though a TON more chaotic than the night before.
My mum made it clear while she enjoyed it she wouldn't be repeating.
Oh well I tried anyway.

So it was ALMOST a bucket list item crossed off.
Because I am way more specific...on that bucket list?
Fall Fashion Week in NYC and Spring Fashion Week in Paris.
A girl can dream can't she?

Oh you fancy, huh?

So to prepare for my trip to Dallas (where I am RIGHT now!)
Saturday afternoon to get out of the house between napping and being sick I went with Laurel for a mani/pedi.
And OH I wish I took pictures to show you!

It was a Groupon.

Have y'all tried it?

I have yet to have a great experience with GroupOn.

Maybe I'm a snob when it comes to getting manicures and pedicures.
And well I certainly appreciated the $4 mani on the streets of Thailand.
There is something to be said of "you get what you pay for".

Looked decent enough...bright and clean.

I remember having a fantastic pedicure by where Taylor lives right now which is sort of the area I actually lived in for 2 out of my 3 years in Dallas.
It was so great.
We both loved how she would take a paintbrush at the end.
Dip it in nail polish remover to outline each toenail.
It made each one look PERFECT!

Or on my trip there in 2008 when Taylor and I went for Pedicures at Nordstrom's!
Or at my mum's place with the massaging chairs and jet tubs to soak my feet.
So this Groupon place it took us three days to get a hold of someone to make an appointment in the first place.

Then they told us they could only do 2 girls at a time.
We assumed it meant they only had to estheticians.
We originally had four of us going...then it was down to three (Laurel, myself and Laurel's sister-in-law-to-be who is also in the wedding party next year).

So that would be great because I would get to meet her.
So they way the receptionist had us schedule it was myself at 3pm and the other girls at 4pm.
I joked around that as long as they don't pull out a bucket with a trashbag in it we were good to go.

I shouldn't have joked.

Not only did they pull out a plastic bucket with a white trash bag in it with some blue cleaning looking solution but the water was cold.
The seat were just two leather armchairs side by side.

From their website...FYI these are NOT pedicure stations.

Pic from their website....their manicure stations.

Laurel didn't believe me when I texted her to give her the heads up.

Then I realize there is only one esthetician.
So when Laurel and her sister-in-law-to-be show up it looks like they will do them one after the other.
So our fun afternoon of getting mani's and pedi's soon was stretched out into an assembly line of let's just slap some crap on get it off.

With only one esthetician it took forever.
When we called we specifically said we wanted to have our services together.
We understood if they only had 2 staff that there would be some stretching out but this quickly became ridiculous.
If they had explained there was just one esthetician it would have been fine.

And it was SO weird because before we began Laurel asked "how many estheticians are working?  Can we get this done at the same time so as not to be here too long".
And the answer was the receptionist (saying "yes I will do at the same time, just give me five minutes") This five minutes turned into 20 so the other esthetician started on Laurel.

Then the receptionist came in and got started.
And we are pretty sure she probably is not a licensed esthetician.
But then started shouting at the other esthetician in another language.
SO then the esthetician starting helping her and it was poor Laurel's sister in law one foot in the bucket with a lady scrubbing kind of one foot in the air with a lady slapping on some kind of exfoliating mix and a lot of shouting.
We were flabbergasted! 

There was zero customer service.
I've never been to a spa that didn't offer a glass of water or anything.
I get it it's a GroupOn but aren't you trying to turn these clients into regular repeat clients???
The GroupOn was $29+tax for a Shellac Mani & Pedi.
But this service at this place is usually $80+ !

There is NO way I would ever pay $80 to have that experience again.
They were rough, brief and honestly didn't give a crap what they were doing.
As she was doing my hand she didn't even remember to do the final seal coat on one hand.
I had to tell her that she forgot.

Needless to say it was a ridiculous experience and we will not be going back.
Laurel was the first to check out (and yes I was there a full hour before her).
And the lady said "how much tip did you want to leave?"
Laurel said "none, I would like to pay the taxes for the service (GroupOn is prepaid)."

And the lady QUESTIONED her "what do you mean no tip".
Laurel explained, "a tip is for service, there was zero service here we have been here almost 3 hours!"
The lady then screamed in the spa "she gave you NO TIP" to the esthetician while Laurel's sister-in-law and I looked on wide eyed.
It was seriously a terrible experience.

In the end if you want to have an extremely slow service and crappy service.
Go the GroupOn route.
I don't do the mani/pedi thing very often.
I'd rather save up and spend a little extra and enjoy the experience.
For example at the Elmwood Spa (which is one of downtown Toronto's TOP places to go to a Mani/Pedi would cost you $110 which I think is much better spent than the $80 at this place).

I guess in the end it looks the same.
I picked the CND colour Gotcha!
I do love that your nails are completely dry when you are done.
I could comfortably did in my purse etc.
THIS is a HUGE deal for me as I'm terribly impatient and have multiple times ruined a freshly done mani or pedi!

Pic from here.

I think feet are kind of gross so I apologize...but wanted to show you the colour!

Definitely a lot of shine with the Shellac mani!  I'm a french girl all the way :)

But I think in the future I would rather enjoy the full experience.
Have y'all every tried a GroupOn and had it fail miserably?
Do you like the Shellac process/finish?

Hot Child in the City

So Tuesday night I was supposed to meet up with Val for a wine tasting event at Mavrik.
It's that wine bar I wrote about here.
It may have been also a date with hewhoshallnotbenamedMrKent.
Moving on...


So I was bummed when Val bailed because she was sick.
But in Toronto Tuesday we broke records for heat and humidity.
So I understand not feeling up for wine tasting.


Instead of packing it in though...I invited Laurel to go with me.
So after work I changed into a flowey cool maxi dress.
We hoped on the subway and headed there.


We had a great time sampling.
They had a trio of Korean inspired appetizers which was pretty yum.

From left to right; goat cheese and kimchi puff, Korean Bulgogi "poutine", and a Kimchi fritter.

We got set to have some tastings.
Before.

Please excuse my poor iPhone taking technique/shadow.

After with my notes.

We had a great time trying these smaller winery varieties.
Afterwards it was still hot hot hot!
So what else to do but get some Froyo at Yogurty's!

Pic from here.

Clearly the heat wave had this place JAM packed.

My final selection; Creme Brulee with Blueberries and Strawberries YUM!

Afterwards we headed to Laurel's to chat and gossip.
I seriously thought of that one episode on Sex and the City Hot Child in the City episode.
Well minus the pot use...it looks like a hot fun girls night in the city...plus I love that song...and that show!

Anywho at Laurel's we schemed out how on earth I was going to manage the next three nights of dates with three different guys followed by a wedding on Saturday.
Sometimes I make my social schedule insane.
What can I say?  I like being busy!
What an AWESOME random Tuesday night :)