We hosted our first IFC night last week with spectacular results. Our host, Maya, chose the Mexican film Frida and created an amazing Mexican feast. The menu for the night was spicy yam soup and fresh tortillas from La Tortilleria with tons of options to stuff into them: black beans, chorizo, chicken, salsa, guacamole and cheese. We washed our tortillas down with unnecessarily large shots of Tequila Rose, and snuggled up in front of her crystal clear LCD TV.

I had never seen Frida, and had no idea what a beautifully shot film it was. The artistic nature of the plot was expressed with equally artistic visuals, in which some scenes were made to embody live murals and cutouts of the characters and film strip.  Great film selection for our first IFC night. No telling what next months IFC night will hold – German, Japanese, Korean? Can’t wait!

This was such a simple idea – hopefully it will inspire Torontonians to break out of the winter blues and find indoor activities that keep you feeling good!

Kiehl's Samples

I feel like Christopher Columbus. I’ve made an incredible discovery. Albeit  one that’s undoubtedly already been made, I’m going to take all the credit.  The discovery in question? Kiehl’s.

“What is Kiehl’s?” you ask? Why, I’ll tell you: At present Kiehl’s is one of Toronto’s best kept secrets, a supplier of “attainable luxury” personal care products, that has actually been in business for over 150 years. Kiehl’s was initially established as a homeopathic pharmacy, in other words an apothecary, which this reviewer thinks is the coolest history a product line could possibly have. It reminds me of the Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, but this has a happier ending.

Originating in New York, Kiehl’s presently has two locations here in Toronto: uptown and downtown (2518 Yonge Street near Yonge and Eglinton & 407 Queen Street West near Queen and Spadina). Lisa, the congenial Store Manager of their Yonge Street location, tells me Kiehl’s will be expanding.  After sampling some of their products I am not at all surprised.
It would’ve been neat to see the aesthetic evolution of Kiehl’s from pharmacy to retail shop. After visiting the latter(visiting the former would involve a time machine I’m not clever enough to build) my impression wasn’t of retail at all but of a dermatology clinic or high-end unisex spa minus the mani-pedi stations and those little rooms so many of us have been ushered into at one time or another for a little landscaping if you catch my drift.

The staff at the Kiehl’s location I visited are all incredibly good humored and down to earth. Their uniforms and bedside manner are reminiscent of seasoned estheticians. In fact, Shiloh, the Assistant Manager of the Yonge Street location, also teaches a cosmetics class at Humber. Many moons ago, I attended Humber for Fashion Arts and coincidentally took the same class as part of that program albeit with another instructor. It was the only class I actually liked and the required reading, “A Consumer’s Dictionary Of Cosmetic Ingredients” remains on my bookshelf for constant referral. The staff really knows their stuff, I realized, when I received an impromptu skincare consultation. Unexpected, but informative and fun!

Kiehl’s offers incredible products and matches it with my favourite brand of service: pampering. Not only do you get to test the products in-store but  staff will discus with you your skincare “goals” just the same as an esthetician would do and likewise will help you build a start-up a skincare regime. There’s zero reason to feel sheepish about your acne concerns or other such questions because as the staff will tell you: hey, we’ve all been there.

Then there are the samples. Lots of ‘em. Kiehl’s is not stingy with their samples like most retail beauty establishments and as an added frill you get to take them home in a cute, environmentally friendly bag. That’s not to say that Kiehl’s only caters to women, though. On the contrary, they have a ton of dude-friendly products. Actually, all of Kiehl’s products seem to me to have clinical or cleverly nondescript packaging so men who care about their skin don’t have to feel embarrassed about buying some “la di da” looking face wash or shampoo.

Prices are higher than drugstore merch but not as bank breaking as spa hawked products. Consumers too often forget that personal care is an investment and end up wasting money when they opt for those bargain drugstore does-nothing-but-smells-good type of products. I’m not advising you to sell your soul for a clear complexion or great hair, I’m simply reminding you that you get what you pay for. In this case, Kiehl’s seems to have found the appropriate middle ground with fair prices for effective products. I’ve only used their products for about a week now and have seen a big difference in my skin thanks to their “Ultra” line which feels like satin and makes my cheeks feel the same. Their “Stylist Series” for hair deserves an honorable mention as well, as do all of the samples I was given but being that I was given so many I think it’s just best for me to tell you to head on into Kiehl’s yourself and get your own consultation because I’m not sharing my swag.

Want to make those already generous samples last longer? Don’t tear them open. Instead, poke them with a pin. I learned that at Kiehl’s.

First of all, ‘YAY’ for living close to markets again! The Manning and Palmerston markets are incredible.   One of the first things I did when I moved back was hit up the Manning market (at the corner of Manning and Bloor). I remembered shopping here as a student because the produce is cheap cheap cheap and good good good. You’re not forced to pay an arm and a leg for tiny avocados or bruised apples. I usually leave with 1 or 2 bags full of fresh fruits and vegetables for under $20.00. Amazing! The Palmerston market (Palmerston and Bloor) is equally as good and, unlike the Manning market, also accepts debit

Photo: Derek Flack

Honest Eds: I have to admit, Honest Eds has always freaked me out a bit. Mostly because once you go in, it is SO hard to find your way out.  I have made it my mission to one day master full navigation  of Honest Eds without getting lost or turned around.  It’s no easy feat. You can find everything your heart desires inside its 4, not wait, 8, nope, 12 walls? Food? Check. Electronics? Check. Crock Pots (which I recently purchased)? Check. Hardware? Check. Cleaning supplies? Check. Dishes? Check. You get the point – they have everything. If you’re brave enough to wander through the turn-style entry ways, its usually worth your while.

P.A.T Central.: The P.A.T. is an Asian grocery store on the South West corner of Manning and Bloor. They have pretty much everything a Metro or Sobey’s would have for a fraction of the price. Don’t be deterred by its proximity to The Metro (Adult Only) Theatre. The P.A.T. is an awesome place to grab staple groceries. I always end up picking up a few items that Ive never tried -  ready-made dim sum, dumplings or beef buns regularly find their way into my cart.

Pho Rex: It’s practically winter. It’s getting cold. It’s absolutely time for some nice warm Pho. Pho Rex is amazing. It is right at the top of Euclid and Bloor (North Side). The weight staff is super friendly, so much so that I actually thought I might have known our server the first time I ate there and the food is delicious. I am hooked on their rare beef Pho but have also tried their spicy calamari appetizers and beef papaya salad. The beef is always high quality, more so than other Pho places. Best of all, you can walk away full, warm and fuzzy inside for under 10 bucks. You can actually walk away pretty satisfied for under 5 if you’re only going in for Pho. The small is only $3.95.

Victory Cafe: The VC is great for any time of day or occasion of heart. Brunch, lunch, drinks or late night snacks. The service could use some work, but it’s close, inexpensive and almost always busy.

Walnut Cakes: There is a Korean walnut cake store a few doors East of the Manning market. If you’ve never tried a walnut cake you’re missing out. They are a delicious Korean desert shaped like walnuts stuffed with bean paste. It sounds weird, but they’re really really good. Plus, they’re only a few bucks for a bag full. If you don’t like them, let me know. Ill gladly take them off your hands.

Snakes and Lattes: I cant wait to spend every cold, blistering Sunday afternoon sipping on lattes and playing board games with friends. Snakes and Lattes opened recently and is PACKED every time I walk by. It is such a great idea and has an insane amount of board games. Id love to know how long it took them to amass the hundreds of games on their shelves.

Do you live close to Bloor and Bathurst? Where is your favourite spot? Any tips for someone who recently moved back to the Annex?

Hercules and Love Affair - Photo: Josh O'Kane

If Summer is the season in which lust and love are allowed to run rampant, Hercules and Love Affair is the perfect accent to Summer’s seduction. I went to see them play at Mod Club Monday night, and was thoroughly entranced. I had a vague idea of what to expect: I had watched them on YouTube and listened to them on Hype Machine, but had no idea they would rock out so hard.

To describe their music, and why the show was so incredible, I must first describe the band. Some could (and did) define Hecules and Love Affair as homosensual (that’s sensual, not sexual). There were a lot of rumors that Antony Hegarty would make an appearance, which, like most rumors, turned out to be total crap. But it seemed to work out in our favour. Instead, Kim Ann Foxman, who declares herself “like a faggy, lesbian messenger boy that delivers legends and messages for the Gods” carried the lead vocals. Her back up singers were two ‘divas’ with rich voices who bumped and grinded all night long. DJ Andy Butler mixed beats behind the vocals to create a truly energetic and unique sound. The whole crowd was dancing, jumping and throwing down along side Hercules. I think it’s fair to say we all developed a new love affair that night.

If youre new to their music, here are some tracks to get you started. When they come back to Toronto, dont pass up this show. If its not one of the most amazing concerts youve ever been to, youre a damn liar!

Hercules and Love Affair – Blind

Hercules and Love Affair – Im Telling You (live)

Rich Hope (right click, save as)

Who is your favourite Toronto DJ?

If you are planning on hitting ‘Nawlins’, keep the following in mind:

1. It is hot as sin in New Orleans – 35 degrees plus humidity! Make sure you get a hotel with a rooftop pool. We stayed at the Omni Royal, in the French quarter. The rooms were small, quaint and well priced and the roof top bar and pool area was amazing.

2. Practice asking for a ‘To Go Cup’. In New Orleans you can drink any time, any place, on any street, as long as you aren’t drinking from a glass cup or bottle. If you are moving bars, ask for your drink in a to go cup and take it with you!

3. Eat up, its good for you. All the food we ate in New Orleans was amazing. We tried Mr. B’s Bistro for a real Southern meal of deep fried soft shell crab, bbq shrimp, and jambalaya. At the rehearsal dinner at renowned Chef John Besh’s masterpiece dishes, including seared scallops in an oxtail jus risotto (seriously to die for). My favourite restaurant  was a small local joint called the Green Goddess. The menu was unique and fused food together in a August restaurant, we filled up on world delicate perfection. We tested as much as our stomachs would allow. Some of the real show stoppers were the BBQ peaches with bacon and blue cheese and the pulled pork marinaded and wrapped in a banana leaf. Quite possibly the best pulled pork I have ever tasted. We also sampled their cheese selection which was diverse and delicious. The owner chatted with us all night, explaining the different thinking behind each dish. This restaurant is a MUST.

4. Drink the bourbon. The old expression ‘when in Rome’ definitely applies here. The bourbon in the south is readily available at any bar you saunter into. I prefer it on the rocks and tasted quite a few different brands. My favourite picks were Sam Houston’s and Makers Mark.

5. Dress in as little clothing as possible – like I said, it is HOT. But make sure you always bring a small sweater or jacket with you cuz they pump the A/C like there is no BP oil spill.

6. Prepare to party. This is my last tip to you. There is no room for party-poopers or sour faces in New Orleans. Prepare to go out and have a great time, no matter what you do!