Spring Elegance In The City

View of the CN Tower from Queen's Park.

Spring in Toronto is a time when even everything comes out from the winter hibernation. The weather is lovely, warm, mostly sunny with some rain to help nurture our trees and flowers. During a lovely Saturday morning walk around Toronto, we discovered some Spring elegance around our City coming out with wonderful colours in nature, in fashion, shops displaying outside their garden wares for sale, bicycles coming out and even Mademoiselle from Marie Antoinette's Court came out to join our Spring fun. Then at the end of enjoying our Spring walk, we were ready to sit down and hang out at a Yorkville patio on this lovely Spring day. Enjoy this first day of June!

Victoria College, University of Toronto in full bloom.

Tulips on Bloor St. 

Lanvin Yellow Tote and Chloe Brown Sandals from Holt Renfrew. Yellow necklace that looks like Egg tarts from Banana Republic.

Working outside in the Garden Conservatory at Yorkville's Teatro Verde.

All for sale displayed outside at Yorkville's Teatro Verde.

One of my favourite things during Spring  is the bouquet of flowers for sale outside the shops.

A bohemian bicycle ready for a ride.
Do you know that June is designated as Bicycle month? Get your bicycles ready and head out for a ride.

Mademoiselle enjoying the Spring sunny day. 

Relaxing and enjoying the Spring day on the patio at Yorkville.


Happy Spring Weekend! 

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St. Patrick's Day Shopping in Toronto

 Green sandals by Chie Mihara at Browns in Toronto.


Happy St. Patrick's Day! The Luck of the Irish!

Beautiful Green Dresses from ELEVEN store at Cumberland Street in Yorkville, Toronto.

Prada Spring Sandals with matching Green nail polish in her toes!
Photo Credit: Phil Oh, Vogue.com

Green Celine Mini-Luggage Bag.
Celine Bags are available exclusively at Holt Renfrew Department Store.
Photo credit: Tommy Ton


More Spring/Summer Shoes from Browns in Toronto.

Both Sandals are by Chie Mihara which are Made in Spain. Shoes by Chie Mihara are both very comfortable made in soft Spanish leather. Red Bag also available at Browns.

Neon coloured pumps in stiletto heels and Sandals in Wedge heels. So perfect for Spring and Summer.

These shoes were designed and produced by the Italian Brand Gianmarco Lorenzi. Gianni Renzi is the Creative Director of the Brand.  Gianni was from a family who specialized in producing Children's shoes. When Gianni took over the family business in the 70s, their design and production shifted to luxury Women's shoes. These shoes are available at Browns in Toronto.

For more information on Gianmarco Lorenzi brand: http://gianmarcolorenzi.com

Which one do you prefer? The Neon Orange, Neon Pink or the Nude platform pumps?

Gianmarco Lorenzi's  Neon Orange and Nude platform pumps up close.

For more information on Browns Shoes: www.brownsshoes.com



Are you excited for the coming Spring and Summer? After St. Patrick's Day this Saturday, it is time to prepare our Spring and Summer wardrobe and shoes!  Time to wear our pumps and sandals in stilettos, wedge or just flat heels! Spring is finally here!


Have A Happy Weekend!

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Windsor Arms Hotel: Afternoon High Tea

We all have our own Christmas Traditions. As for me, besides my family traditions of Christmas Eve dinner and then a Christmas Day party for all of our relatives, I always make it a point to visit the Windsor Arms Hotel, here in Toronto, for their famous Afternoon High Tea.  The Windsor Arms Hotel located in the Yorkville area of Toronto offers one of the best Afternoon Tea in the city since 1927. They are usually booked in advance. They offer High Tea in their beautifully decorated Tea Room.

The Windsor Arms Hotel Tea Room which has two sections. The Creme and Gold room is decorated in English style with the Floral Wallpaper and white chairs for the guests. The second section is behind the French Doors -the French Style Purple Room.  The Hats on display can be rented for a fee and proceeds are donated to Charity.

The English Tea Room decorated with Crystal lighting and with Framed Paintings. This section shows a very cozy, elegant and relaxing area for Afternoon High Tea.

    

Behind the Double French Doors is the Purple coloured Room with the massive Fireplace and huge Crystal Chandelier. The White framed Mirrors sets the design of the Tea Room. The Large windows in the Tea  Room gives plenty of sunlight. These rooms felt like we were having tea in a home. There are sofas near the windows to sit on while having tea which adds to the ambiance of  homey elegance and comfort.

There are 3 different menus offered in the Afternoon High Tea: Creme Tea, Full Tea and Complete Tea.

CREAM TEA

A Choice of our Loose-Leaf Teas
~~
Fresh Scones with Preserves
and Devon Cream
~~
Petits Fours

FULL TEA

A Choice of our Loose-Leaf Teas
~~
Fresh Scones with Preserves
and Devon Cream
~~
A Presentation of Fresh Sandwiches:

Smoked Salmon and Wasabi Sour Cream
with Salmon Caviar

&
Cucumber with Sundried Tomato Paste
and Dill Cream Cheese
&
Grilled Chicken, Granny Smith Apples
Citrus Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt & Chives

~~
Goat Cheese
and Caramelized Shallot Tart
~~
Berries and Whipped Cream
~~
Petits Fours

COMPLETE TEA

Full Tea with
A glass of Sherry or Sparkling Wine

The whole service comes with your own Tea Service: Tea pot usually in English China, tea strainer,  beautiful White China Tea cups and plates and the Silverware.  Above are samples of the tea sandwiches. A glass of  Sparkling Wine is included in the  Complete Tea Menu. Very elegant and delicious! Definitely so English!

Fresh Scones with the servings of the different jams and English Devon Cream  on the side. Above are the Tea sandwiches: Smoked salmon with Salmon Caviar, and Cucumber with Sundried Tomato Paste. Beside the scones is the only Goat Cheese Tart left. I ate most of them!

The Windsor Arms serves many different types of Loose Leaf Teas from the English Earl Grey with Roses, the French Lavender to the Indian Darjeeling Tea and Russian Caravan composed of China Black Tea, Lapsang Souchong and Bergamot.  Some teas in  their menu are called Passion & Envy, Tibetan Tiger and Black Velvet, among others. These are composed of many different types of teas. These teas are so fragrant when served in your own Tea Pot and delicious! My tea above was the French Lavander.

Towards the end of our Tea, fresh Strawberries and Creme were served for dessert. There were also Petit Fours included in the Complete Tea. Perfect combination of Sparking Wine with Strawberries and Creme.

Views of the  Elegant Lobby of the Windsor Arms Hotel.

Afternoon High Tea is one of my Christmas Traditions.  Usually, they decorate the lobby with a massive Christmas Tree. But during the time we were there, they have not decorated the hotel with Christmas decorations. Maybe next year, I can share the hotel's Christmas decorations. But believe it or not, the Afternoon High Tea was very filling!  We were so full after the meal! I enjoy doing it because the Windsor Arms Hotel has an elegant ambiance and they provide great service!  The hotel is located in the Yorkville area of Toronto where all of the High-end  Shops including Holt Renfrew are located. So usually, after a long walk along Bloor St, shopping around, it is a relaxing break to have Afternoon High Tea at Windsor Arms Hotel here in Toronto.

For more information: http://www.windsorarmshotel.com/

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